Jay-Z is taking legal action concerning allegations made by a woman, referred to as Jane Doe, who claims that Sean Combs assaulted her when she was underage in September 2000. Jay-Z’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, has filed a new lawsuit against Doe’s attorney, stating that the claims are groundless and that the historic Gender-Based Violence Protection Act (GMVA) in New York does not allow for the reinstatement of such allegations, as it came into effect three months after the alleged incident.
In court filings, Spiro argued that the retroactive application of the GMVA would infringe on due process rights and referenced a related case where a judge dismissed a similar lawsuit against Steven Tyler. The argument emphasizes that the claim made by Jane Doe should not be considered under the GMVA, as her alleged assault occurred before the act was enacted, and the location of the incident further complicates jurisdictional matters.
Jane Doe alleges that both Combs and Jay-Z assaulted her at a private after-party following the MTV Video Music Awards in Manhattan. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, recent interviews revealed inconsistencies in her narrative, with Doe admitting she may have incorrectly identified another individual present at the event.
She is continuing to pursue legal action, despite the clarifications made about her account of events. Jay-Z’s attorney has highlighted procedural issues with how the case should be handled under current laws. Meanwhile, Combs, who faces multiple sexual assault lawsuits and has been indicted on various charges including sex trafficking, maintains his innocence. His trial is expected to commence in May.