A New York judge has denied Jay-Z’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit alleging he messed with a then-13-year-old girl in 2000, allowing the case to move forward while preserving the accuser’s anonymity. The high-profile legal battle comes as the rap icon, whose real name is Shawn Carter, continues to deny the allegations.
In a ruling issued on Thursday, Judge Analisa Torres criticized Carter’s legal team for what she described as aggressive and counterproductive tactics. The accuser, identified only as “Jane Doe,” filed the case under the Adult Survivors Act, a law that temporarily suspends the statute of limitations for certain sexual assault cases in New York.
Jay-Z’s lawyers had sought to dismiss the lawsuit and force the accuser to reveal her identity, arguing it would ensure fairness in the proceedings. However, Judge Torres rejected these motions, describing the defense’s approach as unnecessarily inflammatory.
“Carter’s lawyer’s relentless filing of combative motions containing inflammatory language and ad hominem attacks is inappropriate, a waste of judicial resources, and a tactic unlikely to benefit his client,” Judge Torres stated in her decision.
The case, which has drawn widespread media attention, will now proceed with Jane Doe retaining her right to anonymity. The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the allegations and the importance of judicial neutrality in high-profile cases.
Jay-Z has yet to issue a public statement in response to the ruling. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case promises to remain a focal point in discussions around celebrity accountability and the Adult Survivors Act.
