Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has issued a statement following allegations he raped a 13-year-old girl.
As reported by ABC News, an amended civil lawsuit filed on Sunday claims that the rapper – along with fellow music star Sean “Diddy” Combs – raped the teenager at an after-party following the 2000 Video Music Awards
One part of the lawsuit claims that, “Another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor.”
The third celebrity was not named.
Jay-Z, now 55 years old, was added to the lawsuit after it was originally filed back in October as one of several anonymous complaints overseen by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee.
The ‘Encore’ star was originally listed as ‘Celebrity A’ in the initial complaint.
Although many of the lawsuits submitted by Buzbee failed to stand due to the plaintiffs insisting on remaining anonymous, a judge has stated that the then-13-year-old showed sufficient cause to continue anonymously, per ABC News.
In the complaint, the plaintiff claims that she was spotted by a limousine driver who then invited her to the after-party.
However, Jay-Z has now adamantly denied these allegations in a statement shared to his Roc Nation X account.
The statement, in full, reads:
“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!!
“These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?
“These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.
“This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics!
“I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over. I’m more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.
“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. I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit.
“My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.
“You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all “celebrities” are the same. I’m not from your world. I’m a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.
“I look forward to showing you just how different I am.”
In response to Jay-Z’s response, Buzbee has told ABC News: “The pleading speaks for itself. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court.”
And, in the last few hours, Buzbee has taken to Instagram to share a statement declaring: “I won’t be bullied or intimidated. People will see through this effort to discredit me and my clients and the truth will be revealed. I also won’t allow anyone to scare my clients into silence.”
Although the lawyer didn’t refer to any specific persons to lawsuits in his post, he added: “Sunlight is the best disinfectant and I am quite certain the sun is coming.”
Legal representatives for Sean “Diddy” Combs – who is currently behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn – have also responded to the latest allegations.
“This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: 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,” they told ABC News in a statement.
Diddy was arrested on September 16 and is currently facing federal criminal charges in an alleged sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
Per BBC News, Diddy – real name Sean Combs – has been denied bail multiple times, and is awaiting his trial scheduled for May 5, 2025.
The music mogul’s reps added: “As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor.”
