Judge Dismisses Jay-Z’s Bid to Have Sexual Assault Case Against Him Dismissed

by Nadia El-Yaouti | Dec 31, 2024
Jay-Z attending an event, dressed in a white suit. Photo Source: USA Today

A court has denied efforts made by music mogul Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z, to have a lawsuit that claimed sexual assault allegations against him dismissed.

Carter was named in a refiled October lawsuit which made headlines in early December. The refiling added Carter's name to a complaint against disgraced music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs. In the lawsuit, victim Jane Doe accused Carter and Combs of sexually assaulting her during an afterparty following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards when she was only 13.

The lawsuit was filed by Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing at least 120 alleged victims who have accused Combs of sexual misconduct and other allegations.

Just last week, Judge Analisa Torres of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York penned her decision with scathing remarks aimed at Carter and his legal team. Her statement explained in part, “Carter’s lawyer’s relentless filing of combative motions containing inflammatory language and ad hominem attacks is inappropriate, a waste of judicial resources, and a tactic unlikely to benefit his client.” The order continued, “The Court will not fast-track the judicial process merely because counsel demands it.”

After the allegations came out against Carter, he was quick to vigorously deny the claims in a lengthy statement that was issued on the same evening the refiled complaint made national headlines.

Carter's lawyers were quick to ask the judge to expedite the dismissal of the case because the lawsuit was frivolous and unfounded, according to his legal team. They argued that Doe made conflicting statements about corroborating witnesses during her original account of the alleged assault. These inconsistencies, Carter’s legal team argued, hold enough ground to have the case dismissed. In the days following the lawsuit’s announcement, Carter and his legal team questioned the victim’s credibility and Buzbee’s tactics in announcing the lawsuit.

Carter’s attorney Alex Spiro, would go on to file a lawsuit on behalf of Carter accusing Buzbee of extortion, harassment, and other claims.

Judge Torres shot down Spiro’s efforts for an expedited dismissal in her opinion. She wrote in part, “Since Carter’s attorney first appeared in this case seventeen days ago, he has submitted a litany of letters and motions attempting to impugn the character of Plaintiff’s lawyer, many of them expounding on the purported ‘urgency’ of this case.”

The judge went on to say that “The weight of the factors tips in favor of allowing Plaintiff to remain anonymous” but shared that her anonymity could change based on how the case would proceed.

As the lawsuit continues, Jane Doe has spoken out, defending herself against Carter’s accusations about her credibility. In an interview with NBC News, Doe shared that she did “make some mistakes” regarding her original accounts. She maintained, however, “You should always advocate for yourself and be a voice for yourself,” she said. “You should never let what somebody else did ruin or run your life. I just hope I can give others the strength to come forward like I came forward.”

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Nadia El-Yaouti
Nadia El-Yaouti
Nadia El-Yaouti is a postgraduate from James Madison University, where she studied English and Education. Residing in Central Virginia with her husband and two young daughters, she balances her workaholic tendencies with a passion for travel, exploring the world with her family.

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