A woman who had accused Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z of rape has dropped her lawsuit against the two hip-hop moguls. The lawsuit, which claimed that the alleged assault occurred at a house party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice in New York federal court on Friday, meaning it cannot be refiled.
The legal action began when the woman, identified only as Jane Doe, filed the lawsuit against Combs in October, alleging that he raped her when she was just 13 years old. The complaint was later amended in December to include Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, claiming that both men took turns assaulting her. Both Combs and Jay-Z have consistently denied the allegations.
In a statement following the dismissal, Jay-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, expressed relief, asserting that the lawsuit was baseless and never should have been filed. He emphasized that his client did not settle the case or pay the accuser any money to drop the lawsuit. Spiro stated, “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 one red penny, he triumphed and cleared his name.”
The lawsuit had faced significant scrutiny, with Jay-Z’s legal team highlighting inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s account. Reports indicated that an NBC News investigation found discrepancies, such as the plaintiff claiming to have spoken with musician Benji Madden at the after-party, despite Madden being on tour at the time. Additionally, the plaintiff’s father disputed her claims regarding his involvement after the alleged incident.
While the lawsuit against Jay-Z and Combs has been dismissed, Combs remains embroiled in serious legal troubles. He is currently in custody in Brooklyn, facing multiple criminal charges related to a federal indictment that alleges he used his power to coerce victims into sex at gatherings referred to as “freak-offs.” Combs, who was arrested last September, has denied any wrongdoing.
The dropped lawsuit was one of many civil suits filed against Combs, but it was notable for naming a high-profile alleged accomplice. As the legal proceedings continue, both Combs and Jay-Z have reiterated their innocence and have called the allegations against them false.