Jay-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, has strongly rejected a rape accusation made against the rapper by an unnamed woman, calling the claim “provably, demonstrably false.”
The woman, who recently spoke to NBC News, alleged that Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs sexually assaulted her in 2000 when she was 13, at an MTV Music Awards after-party. However, she has since admitted inconsistencies in her story.
Spiro, speaking at Roc Nation’s New York headquarters, presented evidence showing the timeline and location of the alleged assault could not be true.
He pointed out that the lawsuit claimed the assault occurred at a “large white residence with a U-shaped driveway,” but photos show Jay-Z and Combs at a nightclub following the awards show.
The woman also stated she snuck out of her home in Rochester, watched the event on a jumbotron, and was later driven to the house party by a limousine driver.
Spiro countered that the timeline was impossible, noting it would have taken her five hours to drive from Rochester and that there was no jumbotron outside the VMAs in 2000.
Additionally, the woman’s father has stated he does not remember driving her to New York City.
“This story is not just a lie; it’s provably, demonstrably false,” Spiro said. The lawsuit, filed under the Adult Survivors Act in New York, also names Combs, who is facing multiple sexual assault allegations and federal sex trafficking charges.
The woman initially filed a lawsuit against Combs, but later amended it to include Jay-Z, alleging that both men participated in the assault while a third celebrity watched. The case is being handled by attorney Tony Buzbee, who is also representing other sexual misconduct accusers against Combs.
Last month, Jay-Z anonymously sued Buzbee, alleging the lawyer had attempted to blackmail him by making the rape allegation public if he did not agree to a legal settlement. Buzbee has said the letter was simply trying to set up a confidential mediation session.
In a statement last week, Jay-Z said his “heart and support goes out to true victims in the world.”
On Monday, Spiro accused Buzbee of “taking advantage” of the woman, while “destroying this opportunity and the voices of real victims.”
In an emailed statement Monday, Buzbee said the woman had been referred to him by another law firm and vetted by four attorneys from his firm.
“Courts exist to resolve factual disputes,” Buzbee added. “Our client remains adamant about her claim.”
