Additional Coverage:
A woman accusing music icons Jay-Z and Diddy of rape in 2000 when she was a minor has been allowed to remain anonymous in her lawsuit by a federal judge.
The woman initially filed her suit against Diddy in October, later adding Jay-Z as a defendant. Jay-Z has denied the allegations.
Jay-Z’s attorney requested that the woman’s identity be disclosed or the suit be dismissed. However, the judge ruled that the woman’s privacy should be protected due to the sensitive nature of sexual assault allegations.
Despite acknowledging that the woman’s anonymity may hinder the defense’s ability to collect evidence, the judge stated that her decision may be reconsidered in the future.
The plaintiff claims that Jay-Z and Diddy assaulted her at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000. Inconsistencies in her account have been acknowledged, but she maintains her allegations.
Jay-Z and his lawyer have strongly denied the claims, accusing the plaintiff’s attorney of extortion. The judge criticized the lawyer’s aggressive tactics, which she deemed inappropriate.
Meanwhile, Diddy remains in custody on sex-trafficking charges and has denied any wrongdoing.