Jay-Z calls Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee 'deplorable' after being named in 'Diddy' lawsuit
Sean "Diddy" Combs is named in another of civil lawsuit — this time with Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, named as a defendant in the suit.
The lawsuit was filed by an Alabama woman, identified anonymously as Jane Doe, through Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee on Dec. 8. According to NBC News, the lawsuit accuses Combs and Carter of drugging and raping the woman at an after-party following the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2000. The lawsuit, initially filed by Buzbee in October under the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act in the Southern District of New York, initially named only Combs. However, the suit was amended on Sunday, Dec. 8, to include Carter.
Doe also alleges that another unnamed celebrity "stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting" her. NBC News was the first to report the news.
In a letter seemingly written by Jay-Z responding to the lawsuit, he denies the claims and accuses Buzbee of "blackmail attempt."
Here's what we know:
Who is Tony Buzbee?
Buzbee, who has represented sexual assault and misconduct cases in recent years, has also represented victims in high-profile cases, including:
- Buzbee represented 22 women who sued Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during his time in Houston and accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions from early 2020 to March 2021. Ultimately, Buzbee's side prevailed, and settlements were reached with nearly all the plaintiffs.
- A Travis County grand jury in 2014 indicted Rick Perry toward the end of his final term as Texas governor over accusations that he abused the power of his office. Perry pleaded not guilty, and his indictment was dismissed after he had already left the governor's office. Buzbee was the lead lawyer on Perry's defense team.
- Attorney General Ken Paxton was tried in September 2023 on 16 impeachment counts related to bribery and misuse of office. He was suspended in May last year when the Texas House voted overwhelmingly to advance the case to the Senate. After a two-week trial, state senators serving as jurors acquitted Paxton. Buzbee was part of Paxton's defense team.
- Buzbee is currently representing more than 120 alleged victims of Diddy's alleged tort.
Jay-Z responds to lawsuit claims, calls Tony Buzbee a 'deplorable human'
Jay-Z and his company, Roc Nation, responded to the lawsuit shortly after the news surfaced on Sunday on X. The statement, believed to have been written by Carter himself, targets Buzbee, accusing him of previously attempting to extort both him and his lawyer.
What does the lawsuit naming Jay-Z say?
According to the woman's original lawsuit, Doe was attempting to get into the MTV VMAs when she met Combs' limousine driver, who allegedly told her the record label founder "liked younger girls" and that she "fit what Diddy was looking for."
The lawsuit details Doe, who was 13 at the time, entering the party, where she allegedly sipped on a "bitter" drink, which made her “woozy, lightheaded and felt [like] she needed to lie down.”
She said she entered an empty bedroom to lie down when Combs and two celebrities entered; one is now alleged to be Jay-Z, while the other remains unnamed.
She alleges Combs told her she was "ready to party" and threw her toward Jay-Z, who she says removed her clothes and held her down as he raped her while Combs and the unnamed female celebrity watched. Then Combs raped her while Jay-Z and the female celebrity looked on.
Who is Jay-Z married to?
Jay-Z is married to singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. The couple have been married for 16 years. Beyoncé is a native Houstonian.
What are people saying about Tony Buzbee?
While Buzbee has represented several clients, some are pointing out that Buzbee's work is supposedly unethical at times.
Quinn Emanuel filed a lawsuit against Anthony Buzbee in California on Nov. 18, alleging extortion based on Buzbee's threats to publicize false information for financial gain.
Here is what people are saying about this current lawsuit naming Jay-Z and Buzbee's practices.