Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Sean “Diddy” Combs face fresh allegations in a civil lawsuit accusing them of sexually assaulting a minor over two decades ago. The lawsuit, initially filed against Combs in October, was amended on Sunday to include Carter as a defendant.
The alleged incident occurred in 2000 after the Video Music Awards. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, claims she was just 13 years old at the time. According to court documents, Doe says she consumed a drink at the party, felt unwell, and wandered into a bedroom where the alleged assaults occurred. She claims Carter attacked her first, followed by Combs, before she fled the party.
In a statement addressed to CNN, Jay-Z described the allegations as “heinous” and urged the plaintiff to file criminal charges instead of a civil suit. He also called the mediation request from Doe’s legal team a “blackmail attempt,” citing his own investigation into their tactics.
Meanwhile, Combs faces a separate indictment on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and prostitution-related offenses. Combs has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations, including claims made in nearly 30 other civil lawsuits.
The lawsuit also accuses Carter of orchestrating a campaign of harassment and intimidation against Doe’s attorneys. Plaintiff’s counsel, Tony Buzbee, has denied these counterclaims, reiterating his commitment to representing survivors of sexual assault.
Carter’s statement further expressed concern for his family, stating that he is heartbroken his children will face questions stemming from these allegations. He described the claims as a result of “cruelty and greed” but emphasized his belief in full public disclosure to resolve the matter.
This development is the latest in a series of legal challenges involving high-profile celebrities and raises significant questions about accountability and power dynamics in the entertainment industry.
Legal proceedings are ongoing, and both parties have signaled their intent to defend their positions vigorously in court.