HOUSTON, USA — A woman from Alabama has come forward to NBC News, exclusively, with allegations that rap icons Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sexually assaulted her 24 years ago when she was just 13 years old.
The claims, filed in a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, have garnered widespread attention, though inconsistencies in her account have cast doubt on the events as described.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, said she was sexually assaulted after being taken to an after-party by a limousine driver she met outside the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in New York City.
The suit alleges that Combs and Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, raped her at a white house after she was given a drink that made her feel disoriented.
Despite standing by her allegations, Jane Doe acknowledged discrepancies in her recollection of the night, stating, “I have made some mistakes.”
She told NBC News, “You should always advocate for yourself… I just hope I can give others the strength to come forward like I came forward.”
Inconsistencies in Jane Doe’s Account
Key details in Jane Doe’s account have been called into question.
- Father’s Testimony:
- Jane Doe stated her father drove over five hours to pick her up from a gas station after the alleged assault.
- Her father told NBC News he does not recall making such a trip, saying, “I feel like I would remember that, and I don’t.”
- He did recall picking her up locally around the same time, but not from New York City.
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Jane Doe attributed his inability to remember the personal struggles he faced at the time.
- Celebrity Presence:
- Jane Doe claimed she spoke to musician Benji Madden at the after-party.
- A representative for Madden confirmed that neither he nor his brother Joel attended the 2000 VMAs, as they were on tour in the Midwest at the time.
- Location Description:
- Jane Doe described the alleged assault taking place at a “large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway.”
- Images reviewed by NBC News place Jay-Z and Combs at a VMAs after-party held at Lotus nightclub, a venue that does not match her description.
- Transportation Details:
- Jane Doe stated a friend drove her to New York City for the VMAs.
- The friend, identified by her attorneys, is deceased, and NBC News was unable to confirm this detail.
- Duration of Travel:
- Jane Doe admitted she had guessed about the length of the trip to the alleged residence and did not know the exact location of the party.
- After-Party Details:
- Jane Doe could not provide further specific information about the after-party she said she attended or corroborate the existence of a secondary venue matching her description.
These inconsistencies have raised questions about the veracity of her account but do not necessarily discredit her central allegations.
Statements from the Accused
Both Carter and Combs have categorically denied the allegations.
Carter issued a statement describing the claims as “idiotic” and “heinous in nature,” while his attorney, Alex Spiro, criticised Jane Doe’s legal representation.
“It is stunning that a lawyer would not only file such a serious complaint without proper vetting but would make things worse by further peddling this false story in the press,” Spiro said.
Combs’ legal team dismissed the lawsuit as a “shameful money grab.”
Lawyer Defends Vetting Process
Tony Buzbee, Jane Doe’s attorney, defended the validity of her claims, stating his team continues to investigate.
“Our client remains fiercely adamant that what she has stated is true, to the best of her memory,” he told NBC News.
Buzbee revealed that Jane Doe had even volunteered to undergo a polygraph test, a step he described as unprecedented in his legal career.
He added that the case has been deeply distressing for his client, leading to seizures and medical treatment.
A Tumultuous Journey
Jane Doe described her life following the alleged assault as one of immense struggle.
She faced homelessness, severe depression, and difficulty completing her education.
Now a mother of two, she has earned certifications in Christian counselling and applied behaviour analysis to help others who have experienced trauma.
A Broader Context
The lawsuit comes amidst federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges against Combs, who remains in custody awaiting trial.
Jane Doe’s allegations have sparked a broader discussion about accountability and the challenges survivors face in seeking justice for decades-old claims.
Still, the inconsistencies in her story highlight the complexities of pursuing legal action for events alleged to have occurred decades earlier.
“This has been extremely distressing for her,” Buzbee said, adding, “We will continue to vet her claims and collect corroborating data to the extent it exists.”
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will respond to the lawsuit and the reactions of the public to these explosive allegations.
