Sean “Diddy” Combs is still facing a criminal trial in May over sex trafficking and more, as well as dozens of sexual assault cases, but the Bad Boys Records founder and Jay-Z are now no longer are being accused of raping a 13-year-old girl back in 2000.
“Plaintiff Jane Doe, by and through her undersigned counsel, hereby gives notice that the above-captioned Action is voluntarily dismissed with prejudice,” said a two-page filing Friday dropping the sensational case that has been in the courts since October. “Counsel for Plaintiff have discussed this matter with counsel for each Defendant, who acknowledge and consent to this submission,” added lawyers Tony Buzbee, who is representing almost 100 clients against the much accused Combs, and Antigone Curis.
In a long statement posted on his Roc Nation social media feed, Jay-Z a.k.a. Shawn Carter slammed the long festering matter, while celebrating its end simultaneously . “This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere,” the statement said. “The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims. I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.”
The rape of the then-teen Jane Doe is alleged to have occurred on the night of September 7, 2000 during one of Diddy’s drug-fueled parties after that year’s MTV VMAs. A graphic October 20-filed lawsuit from plaintiff’s lawyer Buzbee originally only named Combs, but made distinct reference to accomplices of a male “Celebrity A” and a female “Celebrity B.”
(L-R) Sean “Diddy” Combs & Jay-Z
Getty Images
Jay-Z was named as “Celebrity A” in a December 8 refiling by Buzbee, which followed a separate suit from a Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan-represented anonymous “celebrity and public figure who resides in Los Angeles” (later revealed to be Jay-Z) that went after the Texas lawyer for extortion.
Jay-Z always denied anything to do with the “heinous” rape, as the superstar called it late last year. At the same time, Jay-Z’s lead lawyer Alex Spiro has ripped into inconsistencies and more in Jane Doe’s version of events from a mid-December NBC interview she gave – an interview during which she admitted to “mistakes.” The defense also attempted unsuccessfully to have the plaintiff’s real name revealed, and, with claims of a “lack of diligence,” see Buzbee punished.
As recently as February 10, the case saw more movement when Combs’ Bad Boy Records was removed as defendant, likely due to overlap in named corporate divisions in the once mogul’s portfolio.
Representatives for Buzbee did not respond to request Friday for comment on the sudden change of direction in the case. If they do, this post will be updated, However, with no mention of Beyoncé, Carter’s lead lawyer was equally blunt as his client.
“The false case against Jay-Z, that never should have been brought, has been dismissed with prejudice,” said the “99 Problems” longtime attorney Alex Spiro today after the filing in federal court by the Buzbee Firm. “By standing up in the face of heinous and false allegations, Jay has done what few can – he pushed back, he never settled, he never paid 1 red penny, he triumphed and cleared his name.”
Diddy’s attorney took aim at Buzbee and all the accusers of his client in his own statement Friday afternoon:
Today’s complete dismissal without a settlement by the 1-800 attorney is yet another confirmation that these lawsuits are built on falsehoods, not facts. For months, we have seen case after case filed by individuals hiding behind anonymity, pushed forward by an attorney more focused on media headlines than legal merit. Just like this claim, the others will fall apart because there is no truth to them.
Sean Combs has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor. No number of lawsuits, sensationalized allegations, or media theatrics will change that reality. We will continue to fight these baseless claims and hold those responsible. This is just the first of many that will not hold up in a court of law.
In case you are wondering, yes, the “with prejudice” means the case can never be refiled, at least in its present form. Having said that, Combs has been behind bars at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 16 arrest. Failing on several occasions to get released on $50 million bail and looking at life in prison if found guilty, Combs is set to go to trial on racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges starting May 5.
