the woman who has accused Sean “Diddy” Combs and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter A federal judge has ruled that a 13-year-old man who was raped after a prize draw in 2000 can remain anonymous as his case proceeds.
The woman’s lawsuit was originally filed in October, one of an anonymous civil complaint filed against Combs by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee. The case was amended in December to include Carter, who has denied the charges.
Carter filed a motion earlier this month asking the judge to deny the plaintiff’s request to remain anonymous, asking him to reveal his identity or to dismiss the lawsuit.
However, in Thursday’s ruling, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres said the woman can remain anonymous for now, although she may reconsider her ruling in the future.
The judge said that the allegations of sexual assault are very sensitive and of a very personal nature and that the woman who filed the case is “particularly vulnerable to the harm that disclosure may have” because, according to her case, she suffers from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder. stress disorder and seizure disorder related to the stress of his sexual assault.
In his ruling, the judge acknowledged that the plaintiff’s anonymity “could prejudice the defendants, making it difficult to gather the facts necessary for a defense” and questioning the plaintiff’s credibility.
But, referring to the “initial phase of this case”, the judge ruled that the woman can remain anonymous for the time being.
“Plaintiff is advised that, as the balance of these factors will undoubtedly change as this case progresses, particularly if the parties engage in factual discovery, the Court may wish to revisit this decision in the future,” the judge wrote. the verdict
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 16: (L-R) Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z Sprite attend the Two Kings Dinner presented by RDG + Bar Annie on February 16, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Johnny Nunez/WireImage
Jay-Z and Sean Combs attended the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards afterparty, the plaintiff alleges in her lawsuit. recognized inconsistencies with his account However, he has stood by his allegations.
Carter and his lawyer have strongly denied both claims public statements and in court filings, Buzbee, the woman’s lawyer, accused him of running an “extortion campaign” against her.
The judge warned Carter’s attorney of some of his legal maneuvers.
“Carter’s attorney’s filing of fighting motions with inflammatory language and ad hominem attacks is inappropriate, a waste of judicial resources and a tactic unlikely to benefit his client. The court will not expedite the judicial process simply because the attorney requests it.”
Combs, who was it He was arrested in September charged with sex trafficking, remains in custody at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Last month, a judge he was denied bail in case
Combs has denied all wrongdoing.
ABC News’ Matt Foster contributed to this report.
