An anonymous accuser who previously alleged that Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter sexually assaulted her has officially recanted her claims, stating in a new legal declaration that she has never actually met the musician. In a formal statement provided to legal teams, the woman—identified in court filings as Jane Doe—confirmed that her prior accusations were entirely fabricated. According to without divulging specific medical information, Jane Doe, In her legal filing that she had told attorneys “about my mental health conditions” but was “never asked any questions about whether this affected my memory a. According to she, About one month after she made her claims against Carter public, she “began to doubt my claims against Mr. Carter” and “also began doubting that I ever went to a party with celebrities” and that Combs or Carter were ever involved “in any attack on me.”.
“My allegations that Shawn Carter raped me or otherwise sexually assaulted me were false. I have never met Mr. Carter,” the woman stated, further noting that the artist never engaged in any inappropriate behavior toward her. She expressed remorse for the significant distress and reputational damage her false claims caused Carter and his family, formally retracting every aspect of her previous testimony. Suffering, and damage that can never be fully undone, i understand that my false accusations have caused Mr. Carter immense pain. His family, and his reputation.”, i sincerely and unconditionally apologize to Mr. Carter for the devastating harm I have caused to him.
The legal controversy originated in December 2024, when the woman filed a lawsuit via attorney Tony Buzbee against both Carter and Sean “Diddy” Combs. The initial complaint alleged that she was 13 years old when she encountered the two men at an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. She had claimed that after consuming a drink, she felt intoxicated and wandered into a bedroom where she was assaulted by both Carter and Combs. Combs had consistently denied these allegations throughout the proceedings.
Representing the woman currently, attorney J. Blair Newman clarified that while his client maintains she was a victim of sexual assault in a separate context, she was “entirely mistaken” in identifying Carter as a perpetrator. Newman reiterated that his client apologizes for the false accusations and emphasizes that no such meeting or incident with Carter ever occurred.
The woman’s latest declaration provides significant details regarding how her case was initially constructed. She revealed that she first reached out to legal representation after seeing a Facebook advertisement seeking individuals with potential claims against Sean Combs. This interaction led her to connect with the AVA Law Group before her file was transferred to Buzbee’s firm. She admitted that the initial legal team failed to perform background checks, seek corroborating witnesses, or request proof before initiating the lawsuit on her behalf.
She further alleged that Buzbee’s firm prepared her for a high-profile television interview by paying for her travel, wardrobe, and lodging. According to the declaration, the lawyers coached her on how to conduct herself during the broadcast. During one brief meeting with Buzbee held shortly before that interview, she alleged he provided her with $1,000 in cash for her and her family. In response to these claims, Buzbee maintained that his firm relied on intake information gathered by a previous law firm and that a former major crimes detective was hired to verify the facts. Meals, hotel and took her shopping “to get camera ready” and bought her an outfit to wear in the television interview, according to her legal declaration, the firm paid for her flights.
Throughout the duration of the legal battle, Carter maintained a stance of total innocence, characterizing the accusations as “heinous in nature.” He has actively pursued a malicious prosecution case against Buzbee, which remains pending in federal court. Following the recent recantation, Carter’s legal team filed a formal notice with the judge to dismiss the remaining claims against him. While the original lawsuit against Carter and Combs was dropped by the accuser in February 2025, the legal friction between the rapper and the original law firm continues to move forward in court.
