Jay-Z Can Seek To Revive Extortion Case Against Attorney Tony Buzbee After Rape Accuser Recants Allegations

Jay-Z, Tony Buzbee

Jay-Z Can Seek To Revive Extortion Case Against Attorney Tony Buzbee After Rape Accuser Recants Allegations

Jay-Z has been given an opening to continue his legal fight against attorney Tony Buzbee after the woman who previously accused the rapper of r@pe formally recanted her allegations. A California appeals court denied Jay-Z’s request to rehear its earlier ruling but modified its decision to make clear that a lower court can consider reopening discovery based on the new development.

The update comes days after the woman, identified as Jane Doe, submitted a sworn declaration stating she had never met Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter. “Shawn ‘JAY-Z’ Carter never r@ped me. I have never met or spoken to Mr. Carter,” she stated, adding that her previous allegations against him were false. She also said she was not paid to recant her claims.

Jay-Z previously sued Buzbee and his law firm, alleging extortion, defamation and other claims stemming from their handling of Doe’s accusations. A trial court dismissed Carter’s claims under California’s anti-SLAPP law, and an appeals court upheld that ruling in September. Carter’s attorneys subsequently argued Doe’s recantation provided new evidence supporting their request for discovery.

The latest ruling does not automatically reinstate Jay-Z’s lawsuit. Instead, the appeals court clarified that its ruling does not prevent the trial court from potentially allowing new discovery or considering further proceedings in light of Doe’s sworn recantation. Buzbee has disputed Doe’s new account and has pointed to her previous statements supporting the allegations.