The judge pointed to Buzbee’s social media activity, including labelling his former client a “sexual assault survivor” and engaging with posts linking Jay-Z to the dismissed case – actions that could indicate actual malice.
Jay-Z and Diddy have taken action against Tony Buzbee in federal court in New York over unauthorised practice of law. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Jay-Z and Sean Diddy Combs are taking the fight to attorney Tony Buzbee, the man behind a slew of sexual assault lawsuits against the Bad Boy Records founder. Though a lawsuit accusing them of raping a 13-year-old after the 2000 MTV VMAs was dismissed on Valentine’s Day, their legal battle is far from over. Buzbee, who represents multiple alleged victims, is now facing lawsuits himself. Jay-Z and Diddy have reportedly taken action against him in federal court in New York over unauthorised practice of law, while Jay-Z is also suing him for defamation in California.
In a Tuesday hearing, LA Superior Court Judge Mark H. Epstein indicated Jay-Z’s extortion claim against Buzbee likely won’t hold, but his defamation claim could proceed. The judge pointed to Buzbee’s social media activity, including labelling his former client a “sexual assault survivor” and engaging with posts linking Jay-Z to the dismissed case – actions that could indicate actual malice, reports Deadline.
The feud traces back to October, when a lawsuit accused Combs of a 2000 rape, vaguely referencing an unnamed male “Celebrity A.” By November, an anonymous celebrity – later revealed to be Jay-Z – fired back with a lawsuit accusing Buzbee of extortion. The Texas lawyer escalated things in December by explicitly naming Jay-Z. Reportedly denying any involvement in what he called a “heinous” crime, Jay-Z revealed his identity, fought the case in federal court and threatened sanctions against Buzbee for misconduct. Though the lawsuit was ultimately withdrawn, the damage was done – Jay-Z claims the accusations cost him $20 million a year and deeply impacted his reputation. Now, he’s determined to hold Buzbee accountable.
Meanwhile, in New York, Diddy is fighting back as well. Late Tuesday, his legal team filed court documents arguing that Buzbee misrepresented his ability to practice in the jurisdiction, where he has multiple lawsuits pending against Combs. “Buzbee’s egregious misconduct warrants denial of the privilege of appearing in this District,” Diddy’s lawyers wrote, pushing to bar him from the case. Buzbee, however, insists he has every right to practice there.
While Jay-Z has remained in the public eye, attending events like the Grammys and the Super Bowl, Diddy’s reality is much different. Behind bars at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 16 arrest, he has been repeatedly denied release on bail. Facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation for prostitution, he could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted when his trial begins on May 5.
