US rapper Jay-Z has responded to a lawsuit alleging that he and Sean “Diddy” Combs drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl at a party in 2000.
The anonymous complainant claims she was raped at a home party in New York following the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), with an unnamed female celebrity present at the time.
In a statement, Jay-Z, actual name Shawn Carter, described the legal action as a “blackmail attempt.”.
Mr. Combs, who is in jail awaiting trial after being accused of sex trafficking and other crimes in September, disputed the most recent accusation.
The case was first filed in October but was refiled on Sunday to include Mr. Carter as a defendant.
The BBC has reached out to Mr. Carter’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, and his publicist for comment.
Tony Buzbee, a lawyer located in Texas, filed the lawsuit under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.
Mr. Buzbee has recently filed several cases against Mr. Combs, accusing him of assault and rape.
The hip-hop artist is scheduled to face a criminal trial on May 5.
Jay-Z said in a statement posted to social media: “My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a ‘lawyer’ named Tony Buzbee.
“What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations, and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.
“No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!”
A statement from Diddy’s legal team said this amended lawsuit was the latest in a series of “shameless publicity stunts designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs.”.
The statement said that the judicial process would show Mr. Combs to be innocent of all the allegations against him. He faces 30 other lawsuits.
The complainant in Sunday’s lawsuit filing, solely known as “Jane Doe,” claimed that when she was 13, a friend dropped her off at the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan.
According to the lawsuit, she approached limousine drivers outside the stadium in an attempt to acquire entrance to the concert.
According to the lawsuit, one driver told her that he worked for Mr. Combs and that she “fit what Diddy was looking for.”.
Later that evening, the chauffeur drove her to a party at a white mansion, according to the lawsuit.
Jane Doe claims that when she arrived at the party, she was asked to sign a document that she believes was a non-disclosure agreement.
According to the lawsuit, she recognised “many celebrities” at the party and witnessed widespread drug usage, including cocaine.
According to the lawsuit, she went inside a room to lie down after a waitress handed her a drink that made her feel “woozy.”.
According to the civil action, Mr. Combs and then entered the room with a female celebrity known as Celebrity B. “Plaintiff immediately recognised all three celebrities,” the lawsuit states.
The legal action says Jay-Z approached her “with a crazed look in his eyes,” grabbed her, and said, “You are ready to party!”
According to the lawsuit, Mr. Carter held her down and assaulted her before Mr. Combs followed suit, all while Celebrity B watched.
Jane Doe fought back during the assault, and as Mr. Combs stepped away in surprise, she fled, according to the lawsuit.
The case, which seeks undisclosed damages, claims the plaintiff continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression as a result of the alleged rapes.
In his statement, Jay-Z, who is married to Beyoncé, with whom he has three children, said, “My only heartbreak is for my family.
“My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.”
