A woman who previously accused hip-hop moguls Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her in 2000 when she was just 13 years old has now voluntarily dismissed her civil lawsuit against them.
The case, filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe, was officially withdrawn in federal court in Manhattan. The filing indicated that the dismissal was made with prejudice, meaning that Doe cannot refile the lawsuit in the future. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding Combs, though no reasons were given for the plaintiff’s choice to drop the case.
Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the woman, declined to provide any comments regarding his client’s decision. The lawsuit had been part of a broader wave of legal action against Combs, who is currently in prison awaiting a scheduled criminal trial on May 5 on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
While Combs continues to face numerous other civil lawsuits filed by both women and men—many of whom are represented by Buzbee’s firm—this particular case was the only one to implicate Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. Carter had categorically denied the allegations against him.
In response to the lawsuit’s dismissal, Carter issued a statement through his entertainment company, Roc Nation, calling the case a victory. “The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed,” Carter declared in the statement. “This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere.”
The statement underscored Carter’s relief over the case’s conclusion while also highlighting the emotional toll it had taken on his family. He noted that the allegations had caused significant distress for his wife, Beyoncé, and their children, amplifying the personal impact of the now-dismissed lawsuit.
Combs’ legal team also responded to the development, maintaining his consistent stance of innocence. “We will continue to fight these baseless claims and hold those responsible,” Combs’ lawyers said in a joint statement.
They reiterated that their client has never engaged in sexual assault or human trafficking. Despite the dismissal of this particular lawsuit, Combs still faces an array of legal battles, including serious criminal charges and additional civil cases that remain active in court.
The original lawsuit had accused both Carter and Combs of raping Doe at an afterparty following the 2000 MTV Music Video Awards. The claims sent shockwaves through the music industry, as both men have long been towering figures in the hip-hop world.
With the lawsuit now dismissed, the focus shifts back to Combs’ upcoming criminal trial and the multiple other civil cases he continues to fight. The allegations against him have sparked broader discussions about power, accountability, and misconduct in the entertainment industry.
As the legal landscape evolves, the dismissal of this case provides a moment of relief for Carter while keeping the spotlight firmly on Combs’ remaining legal troubles. The case’s resolution also raises questions about the motivations behind the lawsuit and its abrupt withdrawal.
For now, Combs’ criminal trial remains a pivotal moment in the unfolding saga, as the music mogul prepares to defend himself against some of the most serious charges he has ever faced.
