Jane Doe Recants Sexual Assault Allegations Against Jay-Z

A woman who accused hip-hop mogul Jay-Z of sexual assault has recanted her allegations in a new federal court declaration, stating she never met or spoke with the rapper. The individual, identified as Jane Doe, filed a 12-page declaration in Manhattan federal court, formally reversing claims that Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter sexually assaulted her following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards when she was 13.

“Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter never raped me,” Doe wrote in the filing. “I have never met or spoken to Mr. Carter.” She further emphasized that the rapper never engaged in any inappropriate conduct toward her, noting that there was “no truth” to the allegations she previously leveled against him. Doe claimed that her former attorneys filed the accusations without conducting an independent investigation.

Her new legal counsel, James Blair Newman Jr., clarified that while Doe maintains she was a victim of sexual assault, she was “entirely mistaken” in identifying Carter as the perpetrator. “Mr. Carter did not rape her, sexually assault her, engage in any inappropriate conduct towards her, and she has never met him,” Newman stated.

The initial accusations had also implicated Sean “Diddy” Combs, with Carter being identified as a second assailant in an amended complaint. Carter has consistently denied these claims and previously initiated a federal lawsuit against Doe and her former legal team, including Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, alleging malicious prosecution. While Doe withdrew her underlying lawsuit with prejudice in February 2025, citing inconsistencies in her account, Carter’s litigation against Buzbee remains ongoing.

Buzbee has disputed claims that he pressured Doe to target Carter, maintaining that his firm relied on interviews conducted by other attorneys prior to his involvement. As the legal fallout continues, Carter has remained focused on his professional milestones, including the 30th anniversary of his debut album Reasonable Doubt and the promotion of his documentary series JAŸ-Z IN 8. He has not issued a public comment regarding the latest declaration.