Rapper Jay-Z sues woman, 38, over 'false' rape allegations dating back to 2000

Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, also known as Shawn Carter, has filed a new defamation lawsuit following an accusation that almost derailed his career. The rapper and business tycoon, whose reputation was called into question by serious allegations, is now suing the woman who previously accused him and fellow music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs of sexual assault.

'Jay-Z.'

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On Monday, Jay-Z filed a 25-page complaint in Mobile, Alabama, asserting that the claims against him were “false” and “malicious,” accusing the woman of fabricating the story to cause maximum damage to his reputation. According to the suit, the woman filed a strategic and calculated claim that she later admitted to being false, claiming that she was coerced into pursuing the allegations.

The accusations stem from a lawsuit filed in December, which claimed that the woman was assaulted by Carter and Combs at a party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards when she was just 13 years old. However, the woman allegedly admitted to Jay-Z's representatives that her story was fabricated. The lawsuit also reveals that she had previously withdrawn similar allegations in three separate cases.

Attorney Anthony Buzbee, who represents the woman and is currently involved in several other sexual assault lawsuits against Combs, has argued that the rapper’s lawsuit is without merit. He asserts that the woman stands by her version of events from the alleged 1999 incident, although inconsistencies in her testimony led to the case being withdrawn after an NBC News interview.

Jay-Z's lawsuit claims the woman was manipulated by her attorneys, who allegedly told her that dropping the case was necessary due to threats from the rapper, which is refuted by the complaint. The suit also points out that Buzbee, unable to practice law in New York where the case was filed, had no legal grounds to pursue the case further.

This legal battle, which involves a series of court filings, has also caused significant financial harm to Jay-Z's business ventures. The lawsuit states that his company, Roc Nation, suffered losses exceeding $20 million, largely due to the scandal and its potential to ruin his NFL contract. The exact details of the financial impact, however, have not been disclosed.

The defamation lawsuit is one of several legal actions Jay-Z has taken against Buzbee and the woman involved. In Los Angeles, he filed a complaint claiming that a request for “confidential mediation” from the accuser’s team constituted extortion. While a judge recently indicated that extortion would not be part of the case, the defamation aspect may proceed.

This case highlights the ongoing legal struggles facing Jay-Z, whose career and company faced a potential crisis due to the allegations. The outcome of the lawsuits could have significant implications not just for his personal reputation but for the future of his business empire as well.