Who is Tony Buzbee? Texan lawyer sues Jay-Z amid ongoing legal tussle with Sean ’Diddy’ Combs
- Prominent Texas attorney Tony Buzbee has initiated legal action against Jay-Z, alleging the rapper's involvement in a sexual assault of a minor.
Prominent Texas attorney Tony Buzbee has initiated legal action against Jay-Z, alleging the rapper's involvement in a sexual assault of a minor at an awards show after-party in 2000. The lawsuit forms part of a broader series of civil cases targeting music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is currently incarcerated in New York on federal charges related to allegations of prolonged abuse and coercion of women, the Associated Press reported.
Buzbee, known for handling high-profile cases, continues to draw attention with this latest legal move. Jay-Z's alleged role is tied to accusations against Combs, further intensifying scrutiny on the embattled hip-hop executive, the report added.
Buzbee, a high-profile attorney known for securing billions of dollars in settlements for clients, has built a reputation in Texas courtrooms with aggressive legal tactics and a flair for commanding media attention. He grew up in northeast Texas as the son of a butcher and a school cafeteria worker. After graduating from Texas A&M University, Buzbee served in the U.S. Marine Corps before attending law school and founding a legal firm, the report added.
Notable Legal Cases
Buzbee’s career includes representing a range of clients in major cases. These are:
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton: He played a pivotal role in Paxton's acquittal during the 2023 impeachment trial in the Texas Senate.
Deshaun Watson Allegations: Represented over two dozen women who accused Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct and assault.
Refinery Chemical Release: In 2009, his firm secured a $100 million settlement for 10 workers affected by a chemical release at a Houston-area refinery.
Stanley Marsh 3 Case: In 2013, Buzbee settled lawsuits on behalf of teenagers, who accused eccentric millionaire Stanley Marsh 3 of sexual exploitation.
Additionally, Buzbee has represented prominent political figures, including former Texas Governor Rick Perry in an abuse-of-power case.
Buzbee’s firm is currently representing over 150 individuals, including men and women, alleging sexual abuse and exploitation involving hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. His lawsuits claim that victims were drugged and assaulted at parties in New York, California, and Florida.
Buzbee’s firm has set up a hotline for accusers, and the cases have drawn significant media attention. Combs’ attorneys have dismissed the allegations as "shameless publicity stunts" intended to extract payments from celebrities.
The case has also involved rapper Jay-Z, who accused Buzbee of blackmail, in a statement released Sunday. “You claim to be a Marine? Marines are known for their valor; you have neither honor nor dignity,” Jay-Z said, addressing Buzbee directly.
Buzbee responded in a Facebook post, stating, “I won’t be bullied or intimidated. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and I am quite certain the sun is coming," AP reported quoting the post.
Buzbee’s outspoken style has earned both admiration and criticism. Detractors have labelled him as brash and attention-seeking, while his firm asserts that he fights for marginalized voices and justice against powerful figures. “We’re a society where we typically don’t believe the accuser. We blame the victim, and by proxy, we blame her lawyers,” Buzbee said during a 2021 press conference.
(With Inputs from AP)
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Business NewsNewsUs NewsWho is Tony Buzbee? Texan lawyer sues Jay-Z amid ongoing legal tussle with Sean ’Diddy’ Combs
First Published:11 Dec 2024, 06:58 AM IST
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