
Jay Z is trying a different approach after a judge ruled that a woman is suing him can remain anonymous.
According to Rolling Stone and Deadlinethe rap mogul’s lawyer, Alex Spirofiled new filings on Monday, Dec. 30, requesting to contest lawsuit accusing Jay Z of rape as the alleged assault allegedly took place months before a December 2000 law offering civil protection to victims of gender-based violence took effect. In December 2022 the New York City Council amended the law to allow people to offer two years with historical claims that would otherwise be time-barred.
“Plaintiff cannot recover for her sole claim under the Protection of Victims of Gender-Based Violence Act (GMV Act) as a matter of law because the statute is not retroactive,” Spiro wrote in a letter to Judge Annalisa Torreson deadline.
He continued: “The claimant alleges a breach of the GMV Act for conduct alleged to have taken place in September 2000. But the GMV Act was not enacted until December 19, 2000, three months after the FAC alleged the conduct occurred, and cannot be applied retroactively to create a cause of action unavailable to the claimant at the time in question.”
In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, Jay-Z’s accuser, identified only as “Jane Doe,” she claimed she had been raped by the rapper and fellow musician Sean “Diddy” Combs at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards afterparty. She said she was 13 years old at the time. (Both Jay-Z and Diddy have denied the allegations.)
Last week, Judge Torres court documents say obtained by TMZ that Jane Doe may remain unnamed after Jay-Z’s attorney filed a motion the case is dismissed and Doe’s identity is revealed. However, the judge noted that circumstances may change as the case progresses. Torres said he intends to revisit the matter if and when the case moves forward.
Torres also accused Spiro of being combative and trying to “fast track” the case according to the outcome.
A lawyer Tony Busbywho represents Doe, said in a statement to Us Weekly“Usually I don’t comment on court decisions. I will say that the coordinated and desperate attempts to attack me as an advocate for the alleged victims are failing.
Busby and Jay-Z are also embroiled in their own legal battle. Jay Z – real name Sean Carter – is suing Busby, accusing him of extortion and defamation. Busby filed his own lawsuit against Jay-Z’s Roc Nation earlier this month, claiming the company bribed his clients to file lawsuits against his firm, threatened former clients and impersonated government officials. (Rock Nation named the “fornication” lawsuit).