This ruling arrives amid criticism directed at Jay-Z’s legal team for what the court characterized as a “relentless filing of combative motions.”
The lawsuit, initiated on December 8, alleges that the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, along with Sean Combs (Diddy), raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000.
Both individuals have denied the claims, with Carter labeling them as “heinous in nature” and a “blackmail attempt.”
He has also sought to have the lawsuit dismissed, asserting his innocence.
In her ruling on December 26, Judge Analisa Torres permitted the plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe, to maintain her anonymity, referencing the “highly sensitive and extremely personal” aspects of the case.
She remarked that these considerations “tip the favor of allowing Plaintiff to remain anonymous, at least for this stage of the litigation.”
The judge further criticized Jay-Z’s legal team for their confrontational tactics, stating, “The relentless filing of combative motions containing inflammatory language and ad hominem attacks is inappropriate, a waste of judicial resources, and a tactic unlikely to benefit his client.”
Representatives for Carter have not provided any comments regarding the ruling.
In a related legal matter, Jay-Z’s legal team has filed a lawsuit against Jane Doe’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, accusing him of extortion and defamation.
They claimed that Buzbee’s demand letter allowed only two weeks for Carter to agree to a confidential mediation concerning allegations of drugging and raping two minors.
Buzbee has dismissed these counterclaims as “patently frivolous,” stating, “This is just another attempt to bully and intimidate me. It just won’t work.”
In another legal development, Buzbee has accused Jay-Z’s Roc Nation of employing “shadowy operatives” to persuade former clients to file false claims against him.
Roc Nation has refuted these allegations, describing them as “baloney” and “a pathetic attempt to distract and deflect.”
Jane Doe, now 35 years old, recently acknowledged during a video interview with NBC News that she has made “some mistakes” in her memory of the alleged events.
Nonetheless, the lawsuit, filed under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, is seeking unspecified damages.
In response to these allegations, Carter has consistently asserted that the “incident didn’t happen” and has accused Buzbee of seeking publicity through the case. “True justice is coming,” Carter stated. “We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory.”
Amidst the ongoing legal issues, the NFL has reiterated its partnership with Jay-Z and Roc Nation. A spokesperson confirmed that their “relationship’s not changing,” indicating continued support for the rapper despite the allegations.
The case is still in progress, with both parties gearing up for what is expected to be a contentious legal confrontation.