An anonymous woman who accused rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting her when she was 13-years-old has withdrawn her lawsuit. The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. Jay-Z expressed relief after the dismissal.

The Context

This case garnered significant public attention due to the gravity of the accusations against two high-profile music industry figures.

What to Know

On Friday, the plaintiff submitted paperwork to voluntarily dismiss the case with prejudice. This type of dismissal means the case is permanently closed and cannot be refiled. No explanation was given for the withdrawal, and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, has not made a comment on the decision.

Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, issued a statement expressing his relief following the dismissal. He said the allegations were “laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims” and shared the emotional toll the case had taken on his family and loved ones.

Sean Combs’ legal team also celebrated the dismissal, stressing that the accusations were untrue.

Reports had pointed to inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s story. The woman claimed her father picked her up from a gas station after the alleged incident, but it was reported that her father had no memory of making the trip. Additionally, she claimed to have spoken to musician Benji Madden at the party, but Madden was reportedly not in attendance.

The case saw multiple legal maneuvers, including Jay-Z’s legal team filing a motion to dismiss the claims, arguing they were baseless and had caused reputational harm. A separate motion for sanctions against the plaintiff’s attorney was later withdrawn.

In a separate legal action, Sean Combs faces federal racketeering and sex trafficking charges and is imprisoned at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

What People Are Saying

Jay-Z in his statement on Friday: “The frivolous, fictitious and appalling allegations have been dismissed.”

He added: “I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, my loved ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.

“This 1-800 lawyer gets to file a suit hiding behind Jane Doe, and when they quickly realize that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussions. The system has failed.”

Combs’ Legal Team in their statement: “Sean Combs has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone.”

They added: “No number of lawsuits or sensationalized allegations will change the truth.”

What Happens Next

With the case dismissed, no further legal action can be taken on these claims.