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Judge Dismisses Jay-Z’s Extortion and Defamation Claims Against Tony Buzbee

He ruled that without a threat to involve law enforcement, Buzbee’s settlement letters were civil negotiations rather than extortion.

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Overview

  • Judge Mark H. Epstein fully dismissed Shawn Carter’s extortion and defamation claims in a 65-page ruling on July 1, citing the absence of any promised criminal referral.
  • The court held that settlement letters lacking a clear threat to involve police constitute civil negotiations instead of extortion under California law.
  • Carter’s lawyer Alex Spiro announced an immediate appeal, arguing the decision misapplied state law on evidence admissibility.
  • Buzbee celebrated the ruling as a “huge win” on social media and said his team will seek attorneys’ fees from Carter.
  • Separately, Carter filed a defamation suit in Alabama against the unnamed accuser, alleging a concerted effort to extort him with fabricated assault claims.