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Woman recants sexual assault allegations against Jay-Z in federal court filing

The accuser confirmed she never met the artist, prompting her dismissal from his countersuit.

The short version

  • An anonymous woman formally recanted sexual assault allegations against Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter, stating she never met him and that the claims were false.[CBS News · The Guardian]
  • Her attorney stated she maintains she was a victim of sexual assault but was entirely mistaken regarding Carter's identity.[Billboard · CBS News · The Guardian]
  • Carter voluntarily dismissed the woman from his lawsuit following the recantation, though legal action against her former attorneys continues.[Billboard · CBS News · The Guardian]

Key facts

  • The woman who accused Jay-Z of raping her when she was 13 submitted a court declaration recanting the claims, stating she never met him.[CBS News · The Guardian]
  • The accuser originally filed a lawsuit in 2024 alleging Jay-Z and Sean Combs drugged and assaulted her, which Jay-Z denied as a blackmail attempt.[Billboard · CBS News · The Guardian]
  • The woman's current attorney stated she maintains she was sexually assaulted but was entirely mistaken in identifying Jay-Z.[Billboard · CBS News · The Guardian]
  • Following the recantation, Jay-Z filed to voluntarily dismiss the woman as a defendant in his countersuit.[Billboard · CBS News · The Guardian]
  • The woman stated in court filings that her prior counsel filed the lawsuit without due diligence and that attorney Tony Buzbee gave her $1,000 in cash prior to an interview.[Billboard]

What remains uncertain

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.