Attorney Robert Sparks has recently commented on the ongoing legal case involving Jay-Z where he is named as the main defendant along with Sean Combs. The lawsuit accuses the duo of allegedly raping a 13-year-old at an after-party following the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.
Both Jay-Z and Combs have denied the allegations with Jay’s team labeling it as a “blackmail attempt” by the accuser which is orchestrated by her attorney, Tony Buzbee.
In his statement, Sparks criticized Jay-Z’s PR strategy to prove his innocence to the public. He suggested that his approach to handling the allegations against him could backfire.
“I don’t understand what Jay-Z is doing coming out in the public. He is putting out these statements that Buzbee is going to use against him.” Sparks stated in a clip shared by Akademiks TV on the platform X, on December 12.
“Literally, Carter is saying he represents the heinous nature, he understands it and that it rises to a level that is so bad because its r*pe. That should be a criminal prosecution. I could think of nothing better as the trial attorney to use those words against the defendant in a deposition."
He added that “Buzbee’s gonna be able to depose everybody” including Combs, Carter, and the witnesses.
The US attorney concluded by blaming Jay-Z for using the wrong tactic. He said, “They are messing it with the wrong tactic by trying to attack the trial lawyer.” He further warned Jay-Z and said that he “better be real careful.”
Breaking down Jay-Z’s PR strategy
After Jay-Z was named in a civil lawsuit for allegedly r*ping a 13-year-old alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2000, he shared a post on X through @RocNation’s account, his entertainment company. In the statement, Jay-Z called the allegations "idiotic" and "heinous" while accusing the plaintiff’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee of making a “blackmail attempt” and attempting extortion.
Jay-Z mentioned how the allegations would affect conversations with his children. He commented on Tony Buzbee’s profession by calling him an “ambulance chaser.” He even remarked on his military service by calling him a marine saying, “Marines are known for their valor; you have neither honor nor dignity.”
How did Tony Buzbee respond to Jay-Z’s claims?
Tony Buzbee took to X to respond to the claims of a “blackmail attempt” by Jay-Z. He tweeted,
“Regarding the Jay Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym.” The attorney wrote.
“What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.” He added.
Buzbee added that Jay-Z aka Shawn Carter not only tried to sue him but also bullied and harassed him and the plaintiff.
“Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. I’m very proud of her resolve.”
“As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media.” He concluded his statement.
According to the legal experts, Jay Z’s aggressive r*pe allegations denial could backfire on him and his family. Former prosecutor Neama Rahmani of West Coast Trial Lawyers said that the repercussions of the fiery lawsuit could also endanger the musical careers of the famous couple Jay Z and Beyonce, who have been deemed as the “music royalty.”