HOUSTON (AP) — Excessive-profile authorized battles are nothing new for Texas legal professional Tony Buzbee, along with his newest being a lawsuit he is filed towards Jay-Z, accusing the long-lasting rapper in addition to Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting a minor at an awards present after-party in 2000.
The lawsuit towards Jay-Z is a part of a collection of civil circumstances the Houston-based Buzbee has filed towards Combs, who stays jailed in New York as he awaits trial on federal costs that he coerced and abused ladies for years.
In his authorized profession, Buzbee has represented a wide range of purchasers. He helped acquit Texas Legal professional Normal Ken Paxton at his impeachment trial within the Texas Senate final 12 months. He represented greater than two dozen ladies who accused Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct and assault. Buzbee has additionally made a few unsuccessful runs at elected workplace, together with a bid to be Houston’s mayor.
His critics say he’s stuffed with bluster and bombast. Jay-Z stated the lawsuit towards him is a part of an extortion try. Buzbee’s legislation agency has stated he’s labored to amplify the voices of the marginalized and to “pursue 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 stated throughout a March 2021 information convention.
Right here’s what to learn about Buzbee, his involvement within the lawsuits towards Combs and what different circumstances he’s dealt with.
Who’s Tony Buzbee?
Buzbee is a well known title in Texas courtrooms who has gained billions of {dollars} in settlements for his purchasers.
He grew up in northeast Texas, the son of a butcher and a highschool cafeteria employee. After graduating from Texas A&M College, he served within the U.S. Marine Corps. Buzbee later went to legislation faculty and based his personal agency.
His fashion is “characterised by his aggressive authorized ways, his capacity to command media consideration and his knack for turning complicated authorized battles into public narratives that resonate with juries and the general public alike,” in line with his legislation agency’s web site.
What’s Buzbee’s involvement within the authorized case towards Combs?
Buzbee has stated his agency is representing greater than 150 individuals, each women and men, who allege sexual abuse and exploitation by the hands of Combs.
Buzbee’s agency, which has arrange a 1-800 quantity for accusers, has filed a wave of fits towards the hip-hop mogul. Buzbee’s lawsuits allege that lots of the individuals he represents had been abused at events in New York, California and Florida the place people got drinks that had been laced with medication.
Combs’ attorneys have dismissed Buzbee’s lawsuits as “shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs.”
On Sunday, Jay-Z issued a press release wherein he accused Buzbee of attempting to blackmail him by getting him to conform to a authorized settlement over allegations he and Combs raped a girl when she was 13 years outdated.
“I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over,” Jay-Z stated in his assertion. “You claim to be a marine? Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.”
Buzbee stated in a Sunday Fb submit he “won’t be bullied or intimidated.”
“Daylight is the most effective disinfectant and I’m fairly sure the solar is coming,” Buzbee stated.
What different circumstances has Buzbee dealt with?
In 2009, his agency gained a $100 million settlement for 10 staff who had been sicked by a chemical launch at a refinery in suburban Houston.
Buzbee has additionally represented politicians, together with Paxton and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in an abuse-of-power case.
In 2013, he settled lawsuits for 10 youngsters who had accused eccentric Texas millionaire Stanley Marsh 3 of paying them for sexual acts.
Buzbee has additionally settled lawsuits that he filed on behalf of 25 ladies who had accused Watson, when he was with the Houston Texans, of exposing himself, touching them along with his genitals or kissing them towards their will throughout therapeutic massage appointments.
“I’ve handled some of the largest cases in this state,” Buzbee stated throughout the 2021 information convention.
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Observe Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70
