A woman who accused rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13 at an awards show after-party has acknowledged certain inconsistencies in her story, while her lawyer said he will continue to vet her claims.
The unnamed woman described being driven from Rochester, New York, to New York City for the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000 and then Combs’ limo driver offering her a ride to an after-party. She claimed she spoke with musicians Benji Madden and his brother at the party, and her father picked her up after the alleged assault.
However, a representative of the Maddens confirmed they were on tour in the Midwest during the VMAs, while her father said he doesn’t remember the drive home. The woman’s friend who reportedly drove her to the awards has since died.
The woman had first sued Combs, alleging she was raped at an after-party, and then amended the lawsuit to include a new allegation that Jay-Z also was at the party and participated in the sexual assault.
Jay-Z and his attorney Alex Spiro have both vehemently denied the allegations, with Jay-Z stating that the incident never happened and accusing the woman’s lawyer of filing a false complaint for financial gain and publicity.
This case is part of a wave of sexual assault lawsuits against Combs as he remains in custody awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The woman has admitted to some mistakes in recalling the events of that night but maintains her allegations.
It is important to note that both Jay-Z and Combs are highly successful and influential figures in the music industry, with Forbes estimating Jay-Z’s net worth to be $2.5 billion. The two artists have a history of collaboration and competition in the hip-hop world.