An Alabama woman who alleged that she was raped by the rappers Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs when she was 13 withdrew her civil lawsuit against both men on Friday, according to court filings.
The unidentified woman in December had added Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, to a lawsuit she had filed against Combs in Manhattan federal court, alleging that she was attacked by the singers in 2000 after Combs's limo driver offered her a lift to an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.
The court document submitted by the woman's attorneys announcing the voluntary dismissal did not include any reasons or explanation for the withdrawal.
Jay-Z, who vehemently denied the allegations and had tried to be extracted from the lawsuit, called the woman's decision to withdraw her claim "a victory".
"The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed," he said in a statement posted on social media. "This civil suit was without merit and never going anywhere."
Combs remains jailed in New York awaiting a criminal trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
He also faces numerous sexual assault lawsuits, many of which were filed by the lawyer in the withdrawn legal action, Tony Buzbee.
The Texas attorney says his firm represents over 150 people, both men and women, who allege sexual abuse and exploitation by Combs.
Combs has denied all charges and allegations.
Lawyers for Combs said the withdrawal of the lawsuit without a settlement confirmed that other lawsuits he is facing are built on falsehoods.
The statement added that Combs "has never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor".
When asked for a response to the lawsuit being withdrawn, Buzbee responded "no comment" in an email on Friday night.
Combs's criminal trial is currently scheduled to begin on 5 May.
Jay-Z and Combs are part of a generation of hip-hop stars who rose to prominence in the 2000s, emerging as wide-ranging entrepreneurs and two of the world's wealthiest rappers.
Source: Press Association, AFP
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