Jay-Z's Motion to Dismiss Rape Accusation Approved by Judge

Jay-Z is another step closer to dismissing a lawsuit that claims he raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000, US Weekly reported. On January 2, Judge Analisa Torres from the Southern District of New York approved a request from Jay-Z's attorney, Alex Spiro, allowing him to file a motion to dismiss. The approval came on procedural grounds, according to documents shared on X by legal affairs journalist Meghann M. Cuniff.

In a letter dated December 30, Spiro argued that Jane Doe, the woman suing, does not have a valid claim under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act (GMVPA). He reasoned that the law, which provides rights to victims of gender-motivated violence, took effect only after the alleged assault against her. Jane Doe accused Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs of rape at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in September 2000. Both rappers have denied the allegations. The law was enacted in December 2000, with an amendment in December 2022 that opened a two-year window for historic claims.

Judge Torres stated that Jay-Z's lawyer has until February 6 to submit the motion. Jane Doe's legal team must file opposition documents by February 28, and Jay-Z can reply by March 14.

 Spiro emphasized that the GMVPA, as it stands, does not apply retroactively. According to his letter, "Plaintiff can only recover under the GMV Law for actions that happened after the law's enactment," highlighting that the alleged incident occurred in September while the law wasn’t in effect until December 19.

In response, attorney Tony Buzbee, representing Jane Doe, sent a counter-letter on December 31. He argued that Spiro's statement undermined the law's objective, which aims to ease civil actions for victims of gender-based violence. He stressed that the law intends to empower victims, not to impose restrictions that make seeking justice harder.

 Last week, Judge Torres allowed Jane Doe to withhold her identity in the lawsuit, which Jay-Z initially sought to dismiss along with her anonymity. However, the judge indicated this decision might change as proceedings advance.

Furthermore, there is an ongoing dispute between Buzbee and Jay-Z. The rapper is suing Buzbee on claims of extortion and defamation. In turn, Buzbee filed a lawsuit against Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, alleging misconduct, including bribing clients to file lawsuits. Roc Nation described Buzbee's claims as "baloney."

Earlier, SSP wrote that Justin Bieber celebrated New Year with Hailey in style.