A woman who previously filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging sexual assault has amended her complaint to include claims against Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, accusing both men of assaulting her at a party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleged that she was 13 years old at the time of the incident.
According to the amended lawsuit, she consumed a drink at the party that left her feeling disoriented and wandered into a bedroom where she alleged that Carter raped her first, followed by Combs.
Doe claimed she managed to escape the room after striking Combs.
Carter was initially referred to in the lawsuit as “Celebrity A.” However, Combs, indicted on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty.
In response to the lawsuit, Carter stated to CNN that he called the allegations “heinous in nature” and suggested that if true, the matter should be pursued as a criminal case rather than a civil one.
“Whoever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?” he said.
Carter also criticized Doe’s legal team, led by Tony Buzbee, calling their approach a “blackmail attempt.”
Carter further spoke on potential the impact of the allegations on his family, specifically his children. “My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age.” he wrote.
Doe’s lawyers claimed that after reaching out to Carter for mediation, he retaliated by orchestrating a campaign of “harassment, bullying, and intimidation” against them and their associates.
According to the lawsuit, the actions were intended to silence Doe and prevent her from naming Carter publicly.
Buzbee, known for representing high-profile clients in cases against powerful figures, denied any impropriety.
He said in a statement, “The pleading speaks for itself. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court.”
The case adds to the ongoing suit against Combs, who has faced roughly 30 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct.
On the extortion allegations against Buzbee, the case was said to have been complicated by a prior lawsuit filed by an anonymous male celebrity against Buzbee, alleging the attorney attempted to extort money by threatening to release false allegations of sexual assault.
Buzbee reportedly denied the claims, noting that his firm is committed to advocating for survivors of sexual abuse.
“won’t allow the powerful and their high-dollar lawyers to intimidate or silence sexual assault survivors,” he said in a statement to CNN.
“If you are trying to hide your identity and you claim you did nothing wrong, doesn’t seem very smart to take this approach,” Buzbee told CNN in an email at the time.
“We will address it in due course. I have confidence that with full public disclosure, all of this will sort itself out,” Buzbee wrote.
In a social media post on Sunday, Buzbee addressed Carter’s remarks, stating that Doe never demanded financial compensation but sought confidential mediation.
“(She) never demanded a penny from him. She is emboldened. I’m very proud of her resolve,” he wrote.
