Will Jay-Z End up Behind Bars? New Rape Allegations Spark Legal Questions

Content warning: This article contains references to rape of a minor.

Rapper and music mogul, Jay-Z, has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl at an after-party for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. The lawsuit, filed under the name Jane Doe, alleges that the plaintiff was drugged and assaulted by both Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and music executive Sean "Diddy" Combs, according to NBC News.

The lawsuit was originally filed in October and listed Diddy and an unnamed co-defendant. However, the amended lawsuit was filed on Dec. 8, naming Jay-Z as the alleged assailant. The plaintiff claims that a driver purportedly associated with Diddy invited her to the party. Upon arriving, she alleges she was given a drink that left her feeling incapacitated. According to the lawsuit, Jay-Z and Diddy assaulted her in the presence of an unnamed female celebrity who did not intervene.

Jay-Z denies the allegations, labeling the lawsuit a "blackmail attempt." Fans of the legendary rapper now question his future. After the news broke, some speculate whether Jay-Z could face jail time for his alleged involvement in the attack.

In a public statement, Jay-Z expressed outrage over what he described as false accusations, adding that the claims lack evidence. He urged the plaintiff to pursue a criminal complaint if the allegations hold merit. “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one,” Jay-Z said in a statement to NBC News. “Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?”

Currently, the lawsuit against Jay-Z and Diddy is a civil case, which eliminates the possibility of criminal convictions or jail time. Diddy who is also named in the lawsuit, has denied the accusations, with his representatives labeling the case a "desperate attempt" to extort money from high-profile individuals. Diddy, currently facing separate federal charges for alleged sex trafficking and racketeering, has stated through his team that he looks forward to clearing his name.

Jay-Z has declared his intent to fight the civil lawsuit. In addition to denying the allegations against him, the Grammy-winning rapper has accused the victim’s attorney of extortion. On Dec. 9, Jay-Z filed to dismiss the lawsuit, citing alleged blackmailing by attorney Tony Buzbee. Jay-Z accuses Buzbee of “making baseless allegations” while using the pseudonym “Jane Doe” to shield the plaintiff’s identity.

Jay-Z's attorney, Alex Spiro, also filed documents urging the judge to compel the plaintiff to reveal her identity. In the filing, obtained by TMZ, Spiro asserts, "Fair is fair. Allowing the Plaintiff and her counsel to smear [Jay-Z]'s good name without accountability violates justice, fairness, and the rules governing federal proceedings."

In response to Jay-Z’s extortion allegations, Buzbee defended his actions as standard legal procedures. “Sending a basic litigation demand letter and then filing a lawsuit isn’t extortion or blackmail. That’s simply the legal process,” Buzbee told Page Six.