In a fiery exchange, attorney Tony Buzbee has responded to Jay-Z’s claims that he attempted to extort the rapper. The dispute centers around a lawsuit alleging Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, raped a then-13-year-old girl at an MTV VMAs afterparty in 2000. Both parties have taken to the media, making their positions clear in the ongoing legal battle.
Tony Buzbee Fires Back at Jay-Z
Buzbee, known for his high-profile cases, addressed the claims through a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). He accused Carter of trying to intimidate his client, who seeks to share her story.
“Regarding the Jay-Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm,” Buzbee wrote. “What he fails to say is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim, and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.”
Buzbee alleges that Carter’s subsequent actions—including a lawsuit filed against him under a pseudonym—are attempts to deflect and intimidate. “Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me but tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff,” he continued. “His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. I’m very proud of her resolve.”
Jay-Z’s response has been equally unyielding. Through a statement issued by his Roc Nation team, the rap mogul dismissed the allegations as baseless and criticized Buzbee’s tactics.
“What [Buzbee] had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle,” Carter wrote. “No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion.”
Carter emphasized his refusal to entertain any financial settlement, adding, “So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!”
As both parties prepare to battle in court, Buzbee insists the case will be litigated based on facts rather than public statements. “We will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media,” Buzbee concluded.
The allegations and counterclaims are expected to continue garnering significant attention as they develop. Both sides appear committed to defending their positions vigorously.