Feud Escalates Between Celebrity Lawyer, Jay-Z and Roc Nation
By Niko Mann on December 18, 2024 at 8:30 PM EST
Jay-Z and Roc Nation are the subject of a new lawsuit filed by celebrity lawyer Tony Buzbee.
Buzbee filed the lawsuit on Wednesday in Harris County, Texas. The lawsuit accuses Jay-Z and his record label of violating Texas law by offering money to Buzbee's former clients in exchange for suing his practice, Buzbee Law Firm.
Buzbee is the lawyer for the woman accusing Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs' of raping her when she was 13. He filed a lawsuit on behalf of the accuser in New York in October and later added Jay-Z to the complaint. The 55-year-old rapper filed a countersuit in Los Angeles in November.
The Roc Nation founder also denied the accusation and claimed the assault never happened. The music mogul's lawyer, Marcy Croft, was also named in the lawsuit.
Roc Nation Issued A Statement Regarding The New Lawsuit
Roc Nation issued a statement calling the new lawsuit "baloney," USA Today Reports.
"Tony Buzbee's baloney lawsuit against Roc Nation is nothing but another sham. It's a pathetic attempt to distract and deflect attention. This sideshow won't change the ultimate outcome and true justice will be served soon," read the statement.
Croft also issued a response to the outlet.
"Tony Buzbee has now conjured up fantastical allegations against me and my firm — well-known corruption fighters — in a desperate attempt to distract from his mounting legal woes," she said. "We look forward to addressing these false allegations and having them dismissed."
New Lawsuit Alleges A Conspiracy
— Roc Nation (@RocNation) December 18, 2024
The lawsuit claims that a "conspiracy" headed by the "Song Cry" artist Roc Nation and Croft offered Buzzbee's client $10,000 to sue his firm.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the complaint accused the trio of sending fraudsters pretending to be Texas state employees with "fake badges. "
"Many times the investigators used fake names, or flashed badges or credentials but would not let the clients see them," says the lawsuit. "During some of the contacts, the investigators were pushy, and in at least two, they pretended to be acting on behalf of the State of Texas."
"These folks have stooped to a new low to try to intimidate the lawyers of the Buzbee Law Firm from doing their important work," said Buzbee.
"This conduct was specifically targeted at our firm so we would not pursue cases related to the Diddy litigation. But, we will not be bullied or intimidated. The Defendants overstepped, got sloppy, and stupidly got caught in their illegal scheme on tape," he added.
Diddy and Jay-Z Accused Of Sexual Assault
Jay-Z and Diddy are accused of taking turns raping the now-38-year-old woman at a party back in 2000 following the MTV Video Music Awards in New York. The Alabama woman claimed that she walked to a gas station where she called her father to pick her up after the assault.
As previously reported by The Blast, the accuser admitted to inconsistencies in her story and said she "made mistakes" after her father said he did not remember picking her up at a gas station. She also recalled a conversation at the party with a celebrity who was later proven to be out of town and on tour during the 2000 MTV Music Awards.
Despite the inconsistencies in her story, the accuser is standing by the rape allegation. Jay-Z denies the accusation and has not been charged with any crime. In his countersuit, Jay-Z said the accuser's claim was "patently false."
"Basic facts in her narrative — the who, what, when, and where — are wrong," said the filing. "These stunning revelations make clear that the complaint filed by the plaintiff's attorney, Anthony Buzbee, had no factual basis whatsoever."
Jay-Z Is Reportedly Upset For His Family
At a recent press conference in New York, one of Jay-Z's lawyers, Alex Spiro, said that the recording artist was "upset" for his wife and children, The Blast previously reported.
"He's upset. He's upset that somebody would be allowed to do this, to make a mockery of the system like this," said Spiro.
"He's upset that this distracts and dissuades real victims from coming forward. He's upset that his kids and his family have to deal with this. He's upset, and he should be upset."
Jay-Z Releases Statement Regarding Latest Lawsuit
Jay-Z released a statement saying Buzbee filed the lawsuit for money and fame. He also accused him of filing a false complaint.
"Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame," said the rapper.
"This incident didn't happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press. True Justice is coming," Jay-Z continued.
"This was over before it began," he noted, adding that the "1-800 lawyer doesn't realize it yet," a reference to Buzbee holding a press conference when he announced the sexual assault lawsuit and invited victims to contact him through a 1-800 number.