Jay-Z’s lawyers cite accuser’s interview in rape challenge suit

What’s new

In their latest challenge to a rape lawsuit, rapper Jay-Z’s lawyers cited a recent interview his accuser gave on television.

In a lawsuit on Wednesday, Jay-Z’s lawyers pointed to a recent television interview in which the woman acknowledged inconsistencies in her story.

Context

The request came ahead of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ pretrial hearing in his criminal case. After discussions over evidentiary deadlines, prosecutors informed Judge Arun Subramanian that any additional charges against the hip-hop mogul before the May trial would only require a minimum amount of new evidence to be shared between the legal teams.

Last Friday, NBC broadcast an interview in which the woman claimed that she spoke with musicians Benji Madden and his brother at the concert, and said that her father took her after the alleged assault. However, NBC also reported that Maddens’ rep mentioned that they were touring the Midwest during the VMAs, and her father said he didn’t remember making what would have been more than a five-hour drive home.

Jay-Z argued that the article shows that Houston personal injury attorney Tony Buzbee filed a false complaint against him for financial gain and publicity. Combs’ attorney, Tiny R. Geragos, called the television interview “the beginning of the end for this shameful cash grab.”

What do you know?

The unidentified woman recently added Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, to her lawsuit against Combs in Manhattan federal court. She claims the singers assaulted her in 2000 after Combs’ limo driver offered her a ride to the MTV Video Music Awards.

In the criminal case, Combs pleaded not guilty to allegations that the Bad Boy Records founder coerced and abused women for years with the help of colleagues and employees. Combs, who has been held without bail for three months, hugged his attorneys and placed his hand on his heart as he acknowledged his children in the courtroom.

In the civil case — one of several filed against him — the woman initially claimed she was raped by Combs at the afterparty, but did not include Jay-Z in her allegations.

In a statement issued through his and his representative Jana Fleischman’s social media accounts earlier this month, Jay-Z called the lawsuit an “extortion attempt” and directly criticized Buzbee.

“My attorney received an extortion attempt, called a demand letter, from an attorney named Tony Buzbee. What he figured was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny that would make me want to settle,” the Grammy winner said.

What people say

Jay-Z’s lawyers said in the latest court filing That the rape allegations “caused incalculable harm to Mr. Carter, his family, his companies, his employees, and his legacy.”

Tony Buzbee told The Associated Press via email The plaintiffs’ legal team intends to address the latest file in court.

“They continue to make requests that are baseless, contrary to the rules and have no basis whatsoever,” Busbee said.

What’s next

In October, Buzbee announced he was representing nearly 120 individuals — men and women — alleging sexual misconduct by Combs.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.