American Entertainment News: Jay-Z’s Legal Team Pushes for Rapper’s Removal from Assault Lawsuit Following Accuser’s TV Statement
NEW YORK (AP) — Attorneys for Jay-Z have filed a motion urging a judge to promptly dismiss the rapper from a lawsuit in which an unidentified woman accuses him and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 years old
The woman, who filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, recently included Jay-Z, legally known as Shawn Carter, as a defendant.
She claims the assault occurred in 2000 after Combs’ limousine driver offered her a ride to an after-party for the MTV Video Music Awards.
In legal documents submitted on Wednesday, Jay-Z’s attorneys pointed to a recent television interview where the accuser admitted there were discrepancies in her account of the events.
The filing came just ahead of a pretrial hearing in Combs’ criminal case. During the hearing, lawyers discussed evidence deadlines, and prosecutors informed Judge Arun Subramanian that introducing any additional charges against Combs before the May trial would require only limited new evidence sharing.
In the criminal case, Combs has denied allegations, pleading not guilty to charges accusing him of coercing and abusing women with the assistance of his associates and employees over the years. Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, has been in custody without bail for three months.
During the hearing, he acknowledged his children among the audience, touching his heart and hugging his legal team.
Meanwhile, the civil lawsuit, one of several lodged against Combs, initially claimed that the accuser was assaulted by Combs at the after-party but did not name Jay-Z as a participant until recently.
Last Friday, NBC broadcast an interview with the woman, where she claimed she interacted with musicians Benji Madden and his brother at the event and was picked up by her father after the alleged incident.
However, NBC reported that representatives for the Madden brothers said they were touring the Midwest during the VMAs.
Furthermore, her father reportedly stated he had no recollection of what would have been a drive home of over five hours.
Jay-Z has accused Tony Buzbee, the Houston-based attorney representing the accuser, of filing false claims for financial and public attention. Teny R. Geragos, who represents Combs, criticized the interview, calling it “the beginning of the end of this baseless money grab.”
In the court filing, Jay-Z’s lawyers argued that the accusations have caused “immeasurable harm” to his personal life, family, businesses, employees, and reputation.
Responding via email, Buzbee told The Associated Press that his legal team would address the latest motions in court, adding, “Their filings lack merit and contradict procedural rules.”
In October, Buzbee announced he represents around 120 individuals, both men and women, who have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs.
Jay-Z and Combs, both recognized as cultural and entrepreneurial powerhouses, rose to fame in the 2000s. Forbes recently estimated Jay-Z’s net worth at $2.5 billion, placing him among the world’s wealthiest musicians.
The two artists have collaborated frequently, with Jay-Z appearing on Combs’ debut album No Way Out and Combs featuring on Jay-Z’s second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.
This case has captured significant attention in American Entertainment News, as it involves two of the music industry’s most prominent figures.
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