The accusations against Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter mark a potential turning point, linking the rap icon to the allegations in both civil and criminal cases against Sean “Diddy” Combs. Combs is currently in federal custody at a Brooklyn detention center, awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

Carter’s attorney, Alex Spiro, condemned the lawsuit as baseless. “It is stunning that a lawyer would file such a serious complaint without proper vetting and then exacerbate matters by spreading this false story in the press,” Spiro said. “We are asking the court to dismiss this frivolous case immediately and will pursue disciplinary action against Mr. Buzbee and the other attorneys involved in filing it.”

Combs’ legal team has labeled the allegations a “shameful money grab.” Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing the plaintiff, has filed more than 20 lawsuits against Combs to date.

Initially filed in October in the Southern District of New York, the lawsuit listed Combs as the sole defendant. It was refiled this past Sunday to include Carter as a co-defendant.

Plaintiff Speaks Out on Assault Allegations

Allegations Complicate Diddy Case as Plaintiff’s Claims Questioned

“You should always fight for what happened to you,” she said. “Advocate for yourself and be a voice for yourself. Never let what someone else did ruin your life. I hope my story gives others the strength to come forward, too.”

Now 38, the plaintiff recounted the events of 2000. At 13 years old, living in Rochester, New York, she was determined to attend the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)—an experience she described as “on my bucket list.” Sneaking out of her home, she said a friend drove her to New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, where she joined throngs of fans outside the venue.

Without a ticket, she watched the ceremony on a jumbotron, mingling with limo drivers in the hopes of being invited to an after-party. According to the lawsuit, one driver claimed to work for Combs, told her she “fit what Diddy was looking for,” and offered to take her to a party later.

The plaintiff said she eventually arrived at a gated white house with a U-shaped driveway, where she was asked to sign a document she didn’t read.

Assault Allegations

Inside the house, the plaintiff claimed she mingled with celebrities, including Fred Durst and Benji Madden, before accepting a drink from a waitress. Shortly afterward, she began feeling unwell and looked for a place to lie down.

According to her lawsuit, she entered a bedroom, where Combs, Carter, and another woman followed her. Combs reportedly said, “You’re ready to party!” before both men allegedly assaulted her.

“Jay-Z came over and held me down,” she told #GIOYCM PODCAST. “I tried to push away, but he put his hand over my mouth and raped me. I was overpowered.”

The plaintiff said she later fled to a nearby gas station, where a worker allowed her to use the phone. She called her father, asking for a ride home, and described the subsequent drive as silent.

Inconsistencies and Challenges in the Case

However, inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s account have raised questions about the validity of her claims.

Her father told #GIOYCM PODCAST that he does not recall making the alleged five-hour drive to New York City that night. “I feel like I would remember something like that,” he said. While he admitted to picking her up in the middle of the night on a different occasion, he described that trip as a local drive.

When asked about her father’s recollections, the plaintiff maintained that he picked her up and suggested he may have misremembered due to personal issues at the time.

Another discrepancy involves her claim of speaking with musician Benji Madden at the after-party. A representative for Madden confirmed neither he nor his brother Joel attended the 2000 VMAs, as they were on tour in the Midwest. The plaintiff acknowledged the possibility of mistaken identity.

Details about the alleged party’s location also remain unclear. While Combs and Carter were photographed at a VMAs after-party at Lotus nightclub, the plaintiff described being taken to a private residence. Buzbee emphasized that his client never identified Lotus as the location in question.

The lawsuit further alleges the plaintiff was driven to New York City by a 20-year-old friend who has since passed away, making this detail difficult to verify. Attempts to contact the friend’s family have been unsuccessful.

Life After the Incident
The plaintiff said the alleged assault derailed her life. She dropped out of school, experienced homelessness, and later suffered a head injury. She eventually earned her high school diploma and certifications in Christian counseling and applied behavior analysis.

Now a mother of two, she described her determination to help others through her work and advocacy. “I want to help people who’ve gone through what I’ve gone through,” she said.

Response from Carter and Legal Teams

In response to the allegations, Carter released a statement calling the claims “idiotic” and “heinous in nature.” His legal team has demanded the lawsuit’s immediate dismissal and criticized Buzbee’s handling of the case.

While the plaintiff has expressed hope that her story will inspire others to speak out, the unresolved inconsistencies and lack of corroborating evidence have cast doubt on her account. The case underscores the complexities of addressing decades-old allegations involving high-profile figures.