Diddy and Jay-Z Take Legal Action Against Lawyer After Rape Case Dismissal

Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z are pursuing legal action against attorney Tony Buzbee following the dismissal of a rape lawsuit that alleged they assaulted a 13-year-old girl after the 2000 MTV VMAs. The case, initially filed by an anonymous plaintiff known as Jane Doe, was voluntarily dismissed on February 14, 2025.

Buzbee, who has represented multiple alleged victims in Diddy’s ongoing sexual assault cases, is now facing lawsuits in both federal court in New York and state court in California for unauthorized practice of law.

On Tuesday, February 25, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark H. Epstein issued a tentative ruling in Jay-Z’s extortion and defamation claim against Buzbee.

“The conduct alleged raises serious questions about whether Buzbee acted with actual malice, a key component in defamation cases involving public figures,” Judge Epstein stated.

The judge also noted that Buzbee’s social media activity, including liking posts that accused Jay-Z of being “Celebrity A” in the dismissed lawsuit, could indicate malice—a key factor in defamation cases.

Background of the Case

The lawsuit, filed on October 20, 2024, initially named Diddy as a defendant and mentioned “Celebrity A” and “Celebrity B,” referring to unidentified public figures. However, on December 8, 2024, a Texas-based attorney refiled the suit, specifically naming Jay-Z as “Celebrity A” in connection to the alleged 2000 assault.

Jay-Z later identified himself as the “public figure residing in Los Angeles” when publicly denying any involvement in the accusations.

Judge Epstein is set to review arguments from both sides, including those presented by high-profile attorney Camille Vasquez, on February 25. The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for late March.

With Diddy and Jay-Z aggressively pushing back against Buzbee’s handling of the case, the legal fallout from the dismissed lawsuit appears far from over.