A California appeals court has ruled against rapper Jay-Z’s attempt to revive legal claims against Texas attorney Tony Buzbee over a since-dismissed sexual assault lawsuit. The appellate panel determined that Buzbee did not act with malice when he filed the complaint on behalf of a woman who accused Jay-Z and Sean Combs of assaulting her at an event in 2000. The court found no evidence that Buzbee knowingly made false statements or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
Jay-Z had sued Buzbee in late 2024, contending the lawyer sent demand letters seeking payment to resolve the allegations privately before publicly naming the rapper as a defendant. The appeals court concluded that Buzbee was protected by litigation privilege when he sent the demand letter, noting that filing such correspondence prior to a lawsuit does not constitute extortion. The court emphasized that Buzbee’s investigations had led him to believe the accusations were truthful.
Following the court’s decision, Buzbee stated that he anticipated the dismissal and now plans to recover his legal fees and expenses. Jay-Z’s legal representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling. The case centered on whether Buzbee’s actions in advancing and publicly identifying Jay-Z as a defendant constituted defamation and extortion.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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