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Jay-Z Sues Attorney Tony Buzbee Over False Rape Allegations, Seeks $20 Million in Damages
Hip-hop mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has filed a lawsuit against Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, accusing him of defamation, civil extortion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The legal action comes after a rape case filed against Jay-Z and fellow music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs was dismissed in October 2024.
Jay-Z claims the false allegations, which were filed just hours before his daughter Blue Ivy’s highly anticipated Mufasa: The Lion King movie premiere, caused significant personal and financial harm. He alleges that the false claims led to a $20 million loss in business contracts.
The original lawsuit, filed by a plaintiff known as Jane Doe, accused Jay-Z and Diddy of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000. The shocking allegations garnered widespread media attention, placing Jay-Z’s reputation at risk.
However, on February 14, 2025, the case was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again. In response, Jay-Z stated, “The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed. The lawsuit was without merit and never going anywhere.”
Jay-Z also claimed the timing of the lawsuit was intentional and malicious, designed to put him in an untenable position. He described feeling as if Buzbee “was placing a gun to my head” with the choice of either bowing to his demands or facing personal and financial ruin.
The lawsuit was filed just before Blue Ivy’s premiere, a significant event for Jay-Z as a father. He stated that the timing of the allegations was meant to overshadow her milestone moment.
In addition to the $20 million in lost business deals and endorsements, Jay-Z described the emotional toll the lawsuit took on him. He said the stress forced him to go into “hiding” to avoid negative media attention. The rapper claims the entire situation was a calculated attack on his character and legacy.
Through the lawsuit, Jay-Z seeks financial damages and aims to set a legal precedent against attorneys who misuse the system for personal or professional gain.
