JAY-Z’s Lawyer Refutes Rape Lawsuit Claims, Dismisses Diddy Connection
JAY-Z’s legal team has responded forcefully to a lawsuit accusing the rap icon of sexual assault alongside Diddy following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, presenting evidence to refute the claims and highlighting inconsistencies in the allegations.
During a press conference at Roc Nation’s New York City headquarters on Monday (December 16), JAY-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, meticulously dismantled the anonymous accuser’s timeline and allegations, calling into question both the credibility of the claims and the plausibility of the events.
Key Points of the Defense
Timeline Inconsistencies
Spiro pointed out that the accuser’s timeline made little sense. She claimed she was driven to an afterparty, assaulted, fled to a gas station, and was picked up by her father—who was allegedly five hours away—“shortly before dawn.” Spiro argued this sequence of events was “not possible.”
“These are not minor inconsistencies. If you look at the time, it’s not possible this could happen,” Spiro stated, predicting the case would either be dismissed or “crumble” under scrutiny.
Disputed Locations
The lawsuit described a property allegedly owned by Diddy at the time, but Spiro noted that no such property matched the description given in the suit.
“There is no such location,” he said, speculating that the accuser may have fabricated the location to file the case in New York jurisdiction.
Jumbotron Claims
The accuser claimed to have watched the VMAs on a jumbotron outside Radio City Music Hall; however, Spiro noted there was no jumbotron at the venue that year.
Blocked Streets
Spiro added that the accuser’s assertion of reaching Diddy’s limousine was implausible, as streets around the venue were heavily barricaded due to Eminem’s iconic VMAs performance that night.
Downplaying JAY-Z’s Connection to Diddy
Addressing the lawsuit’s attempt to link JAY-Z to Diddy—who currently faces multiple lawsuits and federal charges—Spiro emphasized that the two rap moguls shared a strictly professional relationship: “Mr. Carter has nothing to do with Mr. Combs’ case or Mr. Combs,” Spiro said. “They knew each other professionally for a number of years … That’s just how professions work.”
He further clarified: “He doesn’t know anything about the charges or allegations against him. He has nothing to do with that case and there’s nothing more to say.”
JAY-Z’s Response
Spiro revealed that JAY-Z is understandably upset by the lawsuit, saying: “He’s upset that somebody would be allowed to do this, would be allowed to make a mockery of the system. He’s upset that this distracts and dissuades real victims from coming forward. He’s upset that his kids and family have to deal with this.”
JAY-Z later issued a personal statement, condemning the lawsuit and the accuser’s attorney, Tony Buzbee: “Today’s investigative report proves this ‘attorney’ Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame. This incident didn’t happen, and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press. True justice is coming.”
Accuser’s Admission and Attorney’s Response
The defense’s response follows the accuser’s recent admission in an interview with NBC News that she made “some mistakes” in her recollection of the events. Despite this, her attorney, Tony Buzbee, dismissed the defense’s press conference as irrelevant, stating: “Courts resolve factual disputes. They aren’t resolved in press conferences.”
JAY-Z’s legal team remains confident that the lawsuit will be dismissed, with Spiro labeling the accusations as baseless and implausible. The case highlights the complex balance between holding public figures accountable and preventing false claims from undermining real victims of sexual assault.
