American rapper Jay-Z has been accused of raping a minor at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000, according to a refiled lawsuit obtained by Fox News Digital.
The lawsuit, brought forward by an anonymous accuser, alleges that the rapper, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, assaulted her while Sean “Diddy” Combs and another celebrity, referred to as “Celebrity B,” watched.
The allegations surfaced as part of a lawsuit initially filed in October, which claimed Combs raped the accuser while others looked on. However, in a revised filing submitted on Sunday in New York, Carter was identified as “Celebrity A” and accused of direct involvement in the assault.
Through a statement shared on his Roc Nation platform, Jay-Z vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as a “blackmail attempt” orchestrated by the accuser’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee.
“My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a ‘lawyer’ named Tony Buzbee,” Jay-Z stated. “What he had calculated was that the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No, sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion.”
Jay-Z went on to challenge the credibility of the claims, urging the accuser to file a criminal complaint instead of pursuing a civil lawsuit. He asserted that any person capable of committing such a crime against a minor should face criminal justice, adding that true victims deserve real justice.
The rapper also criticised Buzbee’s professional conduct, accusing him of exploiting allegations for financial gain. “This lawyer who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these types of theatrics!” he wrote, questioning Buzbee’s integrity and honour.
Expressing frustration over the impact of the allegations on his family, Jay-Z revealed the personal toll it has taken, particularly on his children.
He said, “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.
Jay-Z reiterated his commitment to fighting the claims, saying he is more than prepared to face the accusations in court.
However, neither Diddy nor his representatives have issued a statement addressing the allegations in the refiled lawsuit.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
