The judge presiding over the case concerning a woman who claims she was raped by Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs at the age of 13 has condemned the “unprofessional” conduct of Jay-Z’s attorney.
In a formal directive, Judge Analisa Torres criticized Alex Spiro for what she termed his aggressive motions and “provocative language” directed at the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee.
Mr. Spiro – who has been representing Jay-Z for approximately three weeks – earlier advocated for the disclosure of the Alabama woman’s identity. She is currently referred to as “Jane Doe,” a term used in U.S. law to protect her anonymity.
The judge in Manhattan has allowed her to maintain anonymity for now, although she may need to disclose her identity in the future.
Combs is currently incarcerated in a Brooklyn facility awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
He is contending with numerous sexual assault lawsuits, many filed by Texas attorney Mr. Buzbee, who states that his firm represents over 150 individuals, both male and female, alleging sexual misconduct and exploitation by Combs.
The legal complaints assert that many individuals were victimized at gatherings in New York, California, and Florida after consuming drinks laced with drugs.
Combs’ legal representatives have dismissed the lawsuits from Mr. Buzbee as “shameless publicity stunts, crafted to extract financial compensation from celebrities who are apprehensive about falsehoods being circulated about them, akin to the falsehoods spread regarding Mr. Combs.”
Jay-Z, whose birth name is Sean Carter, previously claimed in a statement that Mr. Buzbee was attempting to coerce him into settling the plaintiff’s allegations.
Mr. Buzbee stated in an email that his firm refrains from commenting on judicial rulings.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was identified alongside Carter in the lawsuit. Pic: AP
In her lawsuit, the woman alleges that Jay-Z and Sean Combs assaulted her sexually when she was 13 years old following the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.
Both individuals categorically deny the accusations.
Mr. Spiro has previously requested the judge to remove Jay-Z from the woman’s lawsuit.
Referencing an interview the plaintiff conducted with Sky’s U.S. affiliate NBC News, Mr. Spiro wrote that the broadcast exposed “significant inconsistencies and outright impossibilities” in the plaintiff’s narrative.
The woman has acknowledged inconsistencies, admitting she had “made some errors,” but maintains her allegations overall.
Judge Torres remarked in her directive on Thursday that Mr. Spiro had submitted a “series of letters and motions aimed at discrediting the character of the Plaintiff’s attorney, many of which elaborated on the alleged ‘urgency’ of this matter.”
She noted: “Carter’s attorney’s persistent submission of combative motions containing inflammatory language and personal attacks is inappropriate, a misuse of judicial resources, and a strategy unlikely to aid his client. The court will not expedite the judicial process simply because counsel demands it.”
She indicated that Mr. Spiro – who accused the plaintiff’s attorney of exhibiting a “chronic inability to adhere to regulations” – had himself neglected to follow the rules. She cautioned him against future “unacceptable” behavior.
Sky News has reached out to Mr. Spiro for a response.
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There are ‘hundreds’ more
Sean Combs faces new legal challenge
In a recent legal filing dated December 20, a woman has alleged that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her in 2006 during a New York gathering that she attended after emerging victorious in a radio contest.
The lawsuit claims that she endured vaginal pain for approximately a week, which she attributed to forceful sexual activity.
Furthermore, she mentioned that an unidentified woman using a New York phone number contacted her later, allegedly coercing her to remain silent.
Combs’ legal representative has dismissed the claims as “total fabrication.”
In addition to Combs, the plaintiff is also pursuing a lawsuit against Bad Boy Entertainment Holdings, the company established by Combs; Atlantic Records, which she contended was responsible for organizing the event; Mike Savas, who was a promoter for Atlantic at that time; Delta Airlines, which transported her to New York; KKJamz 105.3, the radio station that hosted the contest; and the Roger Smith Hotel, where she was accommodated.
Additionally, ten “John and Jane Does” are identified as co-defendants.
