Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) has broken his silence following the voluntary dismissal of a rape lawsuit filed against him and Sean “Diddy” Combs. The woman, referred to as “Jane Doe” in the case, had accused both men of raping her when she was just 13 years old, following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. On Feb. 16, the court officially dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning the plaintiff cannot refile the claims.
The Lawsuit That Wasn’t
While the dismissal was a victory for the hip-hop moguls, the toll on Jay-Z’s personal and professional life was significant. In a scathing statement, Jay-Z called the lawsuit “frivolous, fictitious, and appalling,” emphasizing the emotional damage it caused to him and his family, NPR reported. He expressed particular concern about the timing of the allegations, which came just as his 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, was attending the premiere of “Mufasa: The Lion King,” Deadline reported. Jay-Z suggested that the claims were strategically timed to embarrass his family and damage his reputation.
On top of this, Jay-Z claimed that the lawsuit cost him approximately $20 million in lost business opportunities, Deadline reported. In court filings, he stated that the false accusations resulted in his company, Roc Nation, losing significant contracts, especially in the sports and entertainment sectors. Jay-Z did not specifically mention what deals.
The lawsuit, filed by Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, alleged that Jane Doe was lured into a limousine outside the 2000 MTV VMAs and subsequently assaulted at a party hosted by Combs. Initially, the suit named only Combs but was later amended to include Jay-Z. Both men denied the allegations, with Jay-Z describing the lawsuit as a “money-grab” and “sensationalized.”
The dismissal of the case came just months after it was filed. While Jane Doe has not publicly explained why she dropped the case, according to Jay-Z, the legal battle has left lasting scars on his family, reputation, and business empire.
