In a written order, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres stated that the woman can maintain her anonymity during the initial phase of the legal proceedings. However, she may be compelled to disclose her identity later if the case progresses. This would enable defense attorneys to gather essential information to prepare for a potential trial. Judge Torres also acknowledged the "significant public interest" in the case.
The Manhattan judge also criticized Alex Spiro, the attorney representing Jay-Z (whose real name is Shawn Carter), for what she characterized as his "persistent submission of aggressive motions filled with provocative language and personal attacks" directed at the plaintiff's lawyer. She deemed these actions "inappropriate, wasteful of court resources, and a strategy unlikely to help his client."
In her Thursday order, Judge Torres wrote that Spiro, who joined the case less than three weeks ago, has filed a "series of letters and motions seeking to discredit the plaintiff's lawyer, many of which emphasize the supposed 'urgency' of this matter."
Responding to the ruling, the plaintiff's attorney, Tony Buzbee, informed CBS News in an email Thursday evening that he typically refrains from commenting on court decisions. However, he asserted that the "concerted and frantic attempts to undermine me as legal counsel for alleged victims are proving unsuccessful."
Combs is currently in custody in New York, awaiting a criminal trial on federal sex trafficking charges. He is also facing numerous sexual assault lawsuits, many filed by Buzbee, a Texas-based lawyer who claims his firm represents over 150 individuals alleging sexual abuse and exploitation by Combs.
The lawsuits contend that numerous individuals were assaulted at parties in New York, California, and Florida after being given drinks spiked with drugs.
Combs' attorneys have labeled Buzbee's lawsuits as "baseless attempts to gain publicity, aimed at extorting money from famous individuals who fear having falsehoods spread about them, just as lies have been circulated about Mr. Combs." Jay-Z has alleged in a statement that Buzbee is trying to coerce him into settling the Alabama woman's accusations.
In her lawsuit, the woman who claims she was raped at 13 uses the name "Jane Doe." She states that she was residing in Rochester in 2000 when she traveled to New York City and became acquainted with a limousine driver who took her to an after-party for the MTV Music Awards, where she alleges she was subsequently assaulted by Jay-Z and Combs.
Spiro has requested the judge to remove the entertainer from the woman's lawsuit and asked for a hearing on the case the day after submitting his written requests on December 18th.
Citing an interview the plaintiff gave to NBC News, Spiro argued that the broadcast exposed "glaring discrepancies and outright impossibilities" in the plaintiff's account. Notably, the woman claimed she journeyed five hours from Rochester to watch the music awards show on a large screen outside the VMAs, despite permits and photos indicating there was no such screen at the event.
Spiro also pointed out that the woman's father has stated he does not remember driving from Rochester to pick his daughter up in New York City, as she claims he did.
In the interview, the woman acknowledged inconsistencies in her narrative.
