A Los Angeles judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by rapper Jay-Z against attorney Tony Buzbee, whom he had accused of ‘attempted extortion’ and ‘defamation’ for allegations made amidst the Sean Diddy Combs sex trafficking and sexual misconduct case.According to the New York Times, the ruling, issued by Judge Mark H. Epstein of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, brings an end to the months-long legal battle between the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter and the lawyer who shot to fame while representing victims of the Diddy trial. Jay-Z initially filed the lawsuit in November 2023, accusing Buzbee of attempting to blackmail him with false claims that he and fellow music mogul Diddy sexually abused a woman when she was 13 years old. Buzbee had previously represented multiple clients accusing Combs of sexual assault and reached out to Carter’s legal team in relation to this new anonymous accuser. Shortly after he filed a suit based on those allegations, the woman in question withdrew her claims against Jay-Z.Carter’s Los Angeles suit then alleged that Buzbee had tried to force a private financial settlement by threatening a public lawsuit, a move the rapper’s legal team described as ‘extortion’. The complaint also included claims of defamation, monetary losses and intentional infliction of emotional distress.In a 65-page decision, Judge Epstein acknowledged that the case was “difficult”, however, he granted Buzbee’s motion to strike the lawsuit, citing California’s laws on legal communications and admissibility.“I have come out on the side of dismissing the action, although the court is not wholly satisfied that this is the outcome that best serves the legislative and constitutional doctrines,” Epstein wrote. He added that the matter may still be reconsidered by a higher court, “This court is only the first stop. It will be for the Court of Appeal to determine whether the court got it right or wrong.”Jay-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, expressed disappointment with the ruling and indicated they will appeal. “We are surprised and disappointed by this ruling, which turns on the misapplication of California law on the admissibility of the investigators’ statements,” Spiro said.In response, Buzbee celebrated the dismissal and reaffirmed his position in an email to media outlets. “The bottom line is they lose,” he said of Jay-Z and his legal team. “Sending a demand letter isn’t extortion, period. We will now seek attorneys’ fees as allowed under California law.”
