Jay-Z is facing increasing criticism after releasing a scathing statement following allegations that he and Sean “Diddy” Combs raped a woman in 2000 when she was 13 years old.
In the latest episode of DailyMail.com’s podcast, ‘Diddy’s Trial’Attorney Lisa Bloom said the ’99 Problems rapper — whose real name is Shawn Carter — turned the case into a “sideshow” when he decided to go after Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing the alleged victim.
“Let’s not forget that Jay-Z is a billionaire who I’m sure has expensive lawyers, publicists and a crisis management team,” Bloom said.
“I think it’s a side strategy to go after the lawyer and not the woman accusing him.”
Jay-Z and Diddy have been accused of raping a woman when she was 13 years old at a VMA after-party on September 7, 2000. Both have denied the allegations.
Attorney Lisa Bloom called rappers Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Sean “Diddy” Combs “billionaire bullies” who are pressuring the court to order alleged victims to reveal their identities
Jay-Z called Buzbee an “ambulance chaser in a cheap suit” who tried to extort and blackmail him.
The lawsuit against the two rap moguls is part of a wave of sexual abuse charges against Combs as he remains in custody in a Brooklyn jail awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
In the December 8 statement, Jay-Z said, “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil complaint!!
‘Whoever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked up, don’t you think?
“These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.”
He continued, “This lawyer, who I did some research on, seems to have a pattern of this type of theater!
“I have no idea how you became such a deplorable human being, Mr. Buzbee, but I promise I have seen your kind many times.
“I’m more than willing to deal with your type.”
Jay-Z’s statement was released after he initially filed a complaint against Buzbee anonymously.
Jay-Z (center) filed a motion on December 9 to dismiss the accuser’s request to remain anonymous, calling for her identity to be disclosed or the lawsuit to be dismissed.
The ’99 Problems’ rapper released this scathing statement after he was publicly named in the lawsuit
The accuser, who identifies herself as Jane Doe in legal documents reviewed by DailyMail.com, says the attack happened at a party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
The lawsuit was initially filed in the Southern District of New York against Combs last October, with a new filing on Sunday naming Jay-Z, 55.
Bloom, who represents two alleged victims in separate civil cases against Combs, said this “tactic” was tone deaf.
“He didn’t use his real name and now he’s criticizing the accuser — his accuser — for not using her real name,” Bloom noted. “So there is some hypocrisy.”
Bloom also said Buzbee has done what she and other attorneys regularly do, which is contact a potential suspect to settle the case through mediation instead of going to court.
“There’s nothing illegal about it,” Bloom said. “In fact, this is the court’s preference because the courts want a settlement, because the courts are very congested and busy and cannot possibly resolve all the cases before them.”
Jay-Z accused lawyer Tony Buzbee of extortion. Buzbee represents the woman who claims Jay-Z and Diddy raped her when she was a teenager while another unnamed female celebrity watched
She added: “Extortion doesn’t mean threatening a lawsuit unless someone pays you money.
“So unless something else happened in the conversations with Jay-Z’s lawyer and team that I don’t know about, that isn’t yet public, I don’t think this case goes anywhere. I believe the case against Jay-Z, brought on behalf of the woman, will proceed.”
In a statement, Buzbee called Jay-Z’s team “desperate, strident and seemingly out of control” and “every accusation they have made thus far is an attempt to divert attention from customers’ serious allegations.”
The Texas attorney added, “If someone calls our intake group and has a viable case that we think has merit and that we can pursue, we will pursue it.
“We are currently pursuing hundreds of cases against individuals and entities other than P. Diddy. What we will not do is prosecute a case that we believe has no merit.”
Bloom said that if the civil case against Jay-Z and Diddy were to move forward, it would be a huge development.
“It would be significant, very significant for the current case because that would show a pattern,” the attorney said.
One of Bloom’s high-profile clients, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, claims Diddy “manipulated” her with promises that he would help her music career.
In her complaint, Richard alleged that Combs entered her dressing room at his recording studio when she had completely undressed.
She alleged that the music artist placed his hands on her breasts and buttocks.
Jay-Z said he has ‘just heartbreak’ for his family, including his megastar wife Beyoncé (center), as he faces serious allegations
Bloom said that while it was a difficult decision for Richard to come forward publicly, it is often difficult for most victims.
Bloom added that Jay-Z’s insistence on “excluding” the alleged victim is also “bad optics” because the plaintiff would have to reveal his name to the defense — eliminating the need to release names publicly, and Carter just looks like a “bullying billionaire.”
“Well, their real goal is to embarrass and humiliate the victim,” Bloom said.
‘They are going to do everything they can to achieve that and hope that the victim will simply drop the case.
Bloom added, “(Jay-Z) might be innocent. Maybe he’s guilty. Don’t know. I’m not calling, but I do know that he is a very wealthy and privileged man.
“And to say I’m just a regular guy from Brooklyn when we’re talking about a billionaire is a bit much for me.”
For the latest updates on this story, listen to The Trial of Diddy – available now wherever you get your podcasts.