A federal judge has denied hip-hop mogul Jay-Z's attempt to dismiss a civil rape lawsuit filed against him and Sean "Diddy" Combs, while also ruling that the accuser can maintain her anonymity for now.
U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres rejected Jay-Z's petition to dismiss the case and reveal the identity of the woman known as Jane Doe, who alleges she was raped by both men when she was 13 years old after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. The lawsuit also names Sean 'Diddy' Combs as a defendant, echoing the recent allegations against the music mogul.
The judge criticized the aggressive legal tactics employed by Jay-Z's attorney Alex Spiro, calling his "relentless filing of combative motions containing inflammatory language" inappropriate and "a waste of judicial resources."
While allowing the accuser to remain anonymous at this stage, Judge Torres noted this could change later in the proceedings, acknowledging it may cause some challenges for the defendants in building their defense.
The plaintiff has admitted to some inconsistencies in her account but maintains the core allegations are true. Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, has strongly denied any wrongdoing and issued a statement calling the allegations "heinous."
The case is proceeding as Combs remains in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center on separate sex trafficking charges, for which he has been denied bail. His criminal trial is scheduled to begin May 5.
The judge has set deadlines for both parties to respond to pending motions, with the plaintiff's response due by January 10 and Jay-Z's team having until January 17 to reply.