JAY-Z Claims He Lost $20 Million Due to Dismissed Rape Lawsuit

JAY-Z has revealed that he suffered significant financial losses in the wake of a now-dismissed rape lawsuit filed against him and Diddy. Despite the allegations being withdrawn, the rap mogul claims the damage to his business interests has been substantial, with an estimated $20 million lost due to tarnished relationships in the sports and entertainment industries.

In a legal declaration submitted before the lawsuit’s dismissal, JAY-Z stated that the lawsuit, spearheaded by attorney Tony Buzbee, caused Roc Nation to lose lucrative contracts. “Mr. Buzbee’s actions undermined my relationship, and my company Roc Nation’s relationship, with other businesses in the sports and entertainment space,” the filing read. He specifically pointed to business dealings tied to major sporting events, suggesting that some partners reconsidered their contracts due to the explosive nature of the allegations.

The timing of the lawsuit was also a point of contention. JAY-Z accused Buzbee of deliberately filing the suit to coincide with the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King, which stars his wife, Beyoncé, and their daughter, Blue Ivy. He claimed the lawsuit forced him into a no-win situation—either support his daughter at the premiere or avoid public scrutiny. “I was harshly criticized by others for accompanying my daughter to the premiere of her movie a day after Mr. Buzbee filed the Jane Doe lawsuit against me,” he stated, adding that Disney executives were reportedly hesitant about his attendance due to the legal battle.

The lawsuit, which accused JAY-Z and Diddy of raping a 13-year-old girl at a party in 2000, was dismissed without prejudice on February 14 after the plaintiff voluntarily withdrew her claims. While the dismissal cleared JAY-Z’s name legally, he believes the harm to his reputation and business will have lasting effects.

Hov responded to the dismissal by calling it a “victory,” but expressed frustration at how the justice system handles false allegations. “The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims,” he said in a statement. “I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones, and I have endured can never be dismissed.”

JAY-Z also criticized Buzbee, calling him a “1-800 lawyer” who used a lawsuit for personal gain without consequence. “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.”

Diddy’s legal team echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Today’s complete dismissal without a settlement by the 1-800 attorney is yet another confirmation that these lawsuits are built on falsehoods, not facts.”

While the legal battle over this particular case has ended, JAY-Z’s lawsuit against Buzbee remains ongoing. Whether he can recoup the financial losses or restore the trust of business partners remains to be seen.