Jay-Z Seeks Revival of Extortion Case Against Tony Buzbee

Jay-Z has asked a California appeals court to reconsider its decision not to reinstate his extortion and defamation lawsuit against Texas attorney Tony Buzbee.

The petition was filed days after Buzbee's former client, identified in court papers as Jane Doe, recanted her rape allegation against the rapper.

According to Rolling Stone, which cited the filing, the lower court had previously dismissed Jay-Z's suit. The appeals court later declined to reinstate it. Jay-Z, whose legal name is given as Sean Carter, is now asking the court to take a second look.

In the documents, he describes Jane Doe's recantation as "explosive new evidence" that should allow his "meritorious claims to proceed."

The court had initially dismissed his claim on the basis that Jane Doe said she did not want to continue with her lawsuit to "protect herself from harassment and invasion of privacy."

Jay-Z argues that her latest statement tells a different story.

Recantation cited as new evidence

He states that when Jane Doe recanted, she said she dismissed her suit because she doubted her own claims. He alleges that Buzbee pushed for the dismissal to protect himself from sanctions, not to protect his client's privacy.

The rapper says he is asking for a limited opportunity to prove his case. In the petition, he "asks only that he have the opportunity to prove his case through limited discovery on remand" and, if that process shows he has a case, for it to move forward to trial.

Accuser says she never met Jay-Z

The woman's new lawyer, James Blair Newman Jr., provided a statement on her behalf.

"Our client maintains that she was a victim of sexual assault, but she was entirely mistaken in her allegations identifying Mr. Carter, and those allegations were false," he said.

In a further statement, he added: "Mr. Carter did not rape her, sexually assault her, engage in any inappropriate conduct towards her, and she has never met him. She sincerely and unconditionally apologizes to Mr. Carter and his family."

An attempt to get a reaction from Buzbee was made. As of the time of filing, there was no response.