A girl who accused rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 at an awards present after-party has acknowledged sure inconsistencies in her story, whereas her lawyer mentioned he’ll proceed to vet her claims.
The unnamed girl described being pushed from Rochester, New York, to New York Metropolis for the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000 after which Combs’ limo driver providing her a journey to an after-party, NBC Information reported on Friday (Dec 13). She claimed she spoke with musicians Benji Madden and his brother on the celebration, and her father picked her up after the alleged assault.
However a consultant of the Maddens confirmed to NBC that they had been on tour within the Midwest in the course of the VMAs, whereas her father mentioned he doesn’t bear in mind the drive dwelling of greater than 5 hours. The lady’s buddy, who reportedly drove her to the awards has since died, NBC reported.
The lady had first sued Combs, alleging she was raped at an after-party, after which amended the lawsuit Sunday to incorporate a brand new allegation that Jay-Z, whose authorized identify is Shawn Carter, additionally was on the celebration and took part within the sexual assault.
Jay-Z mentioned in a press release that the article proves Tony Buzbee, a private harm lawyer in Houston, filed a false grievance in opposition to him for cash and fame.
“This incident didn’t occur and but he filed it in court docket and doubled down within the press,” he mentioned. “True Justice is coming. We battle FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over earlier than it started. This 1-800 lawyer doesn’t realise it but, however, quickly.”
Buzbee instructed The Related in an e-mail that if somebody raises a brand new concern which didn’t beforehand exist, her authorized staff’s job is to proceed gathering details and proof.
Jay-Z’s legal professional, Alex Spiro, requested the court docket to dismiss the case, saying in a press release, “It’s beautiful {that a} lawyer wouldn’t solely file such a severe grievance with out correct vetting, however would make issues worse by additional peddling this false story within the press”.
The lady admitted to creating “some errors” when recalling that evening, however mentioned she stands by her allegations.
The litigation is a part of a wave of sexual assault lawsuits levied in opposition to Combs because the hip-hop mogul stays in custody in New York awaiting trial on federal intercourse trafficking prices.
The unnamed girl mentioned that whereas she was within the limousine, she was requested to signal a nondisclosure doc. As soon as on the celebration, the lawsuit mentioned, she took a drink that made her really feel “woozy and lightheaded” and went right into a bed room to lie down.
She mentioned Combs and Jay-Z then barged into the room, together with one other unnamed movie star, and raped her. The lady mentioned she ultimately escaped the room, fled the home and known as for a journey from a close-by fuel station.
Jay-Z, a 24-time Grammy award profitable rapper, producer and music mogul, anonymously sued Buzbee final month, alleging he was trying to blackmail the rapper by threatening to make the rape allegation public if he didn’t conform to a authorized settlement. Jay-Z mentioned Buzbee despatched a letter to his lawyer showing to hunt a settlement, which had the “reverse impact” on him.
Buzbee beforehand mentioned the notion that he was making an attempt to blackmail Jay-Z is “silly and laughable” and his letter merely sought confidential mediation within the litigation.
Buzbee introduced at a information convention in October that he represents some 120 individuals, women and men, with allegations of sexual misconduct in opposition to Combs.
His agency, which has arrange a toll-free cellphone line for accusers, started submitting a wave of lawsuits in opposition to the hip-hop mogul just a few weeks later.
Combs was denied bail a 3rd time final month. He has pleaded not responsible to prices he coerced and abused ladies for years and faces trial in Could.
Attorneys for Combs didn’t instantly reply to emails in search of remark.
Jay-Z and Combs are a part of a era of hip-hop titans, who rose to prominence within the 2000s, rising as wide-ranging entrepreneurs and two of the world’s wealthiest rappers. Earlier this 12 months, Forbes estimated Jay-Z’s web value to be US$2.5 billion (S$3.4 billion).
The artists have collaborated over time, with Jay-Z featured on Combs’ debut album, No Means Out, and Combs showing on Jay-Z’s sophomore album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.
Whereas continuously photographed collectively at occasions, additionally they have been enterprise rivals. Diddy launched his Dangerous Boy Information across the similar time Jay-Z launched his Roc-A-Fella file label.
