NEW YORK, USA – A lawsuit filed against Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs by a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted at age 13 has been voluntarily withdrawn, according to a court filing in Manhattan federal court on Friday, February 15, 2025.
The woman’s attorney confirmed that the civil suit was dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning it cannot be refiled.
The lawsuit, which was originally filed in December, named Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, and Combs as defendants, alleging that the assault occurred in 2000 after the plaintiff was invited to an after-party following the MTV Video Music Awards.
Both Carter and Combs had denied any wrongdoing, with Carter calling the allegations “false and hurtful” to his family and loved ones.
Jay-Z and Legal Team Respond
Following the withdrawal, Carter issued a statement declaring the lawsuit “frivolous, fictitious, and appalling”.
“Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere,” Carter said through his Roc Nation team.
His attorney, Alex Spiro, emphasised that Carter never settled, never paid any money, and fully cleared his name.
“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,” Spiro said in a written statement.
Combs’ Legal Team Declares Victory
Combs’ legal team also welcomed the dismissal, saying it further proves that the allegations were baseless.
“Today’s complete dismissal by the 1-800 attorney is yet another confirmation that these lawsuits are built on falsehoods, not facts,” Combs’ lawyers said.
Broader Legal Troubles for Combs
While this lawsuit has been dropped, Combs remains entangled in multiple legal battles.
In September, he was criminally charged with federal counts of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Beyond the criminal case, Combs is also facing several civil lawsuits from different plaintiffs, each alleging sexual misconduct.
His legal team has strongly denied all claims of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Carter, who has been linked to some of the legal proceedings, has not been accused of any crime.
Concerns About the Legal Process
In his statement, Carter criticized the legal system, arguing that it should hold false accusers accountable just as it protects actual victims.
“The court must protect victims, OF COURSE, while with the same ethical responsibility, the courts must protect the innocent from being accused without a shred of evidence,” Carter said.
“May the truth prevail for all victims and those falsely accused equally.”
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the plaintiff and has also filed other lawsuits against Combs, declined to comment on the dismissal.
With the case now officially closed, both Jay-Z and Combs have been legally cleared of the allegations in this lawsuit, but Combs still faces ongoing criminal and civil cases.
