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HOUSTON — Excessive-profile authorized battles are nothing new for Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee, together with his newest being a lawsuit he is filed in opposition to Jay-Z, accusing the enduring rapper in addition to Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting a minor at an awards present after-party in 2000.
The lawsuit in opposition to Jay-Z is a part of a sequence of civil instances the Houston-based Buzbee has filed in opposition to Combs, who stays jailed in New York as he awaits trial on federal expenses that he coerced and abused girls for years.
In his authorized profession, Buzbee has represented quite a lot of shoppers. He helped acquit Texas Legal professional Basic Ken Paxton at his impeachment trial within the Texas Senate final 12 months. He represented greater than two dozen girls 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 in opposition to 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 in opposition to highly effective figures.”
“We’re a society the place we usually don’t consider the accuser. We blame the sufferer and by proxy we blame her legal professionals,” Buzbee stated throughout a March 2021 information convention.
Right here’s what to find out about Buzbee, his involvement within the lawsuits in opposition to Combs and what different instances he’s dealt with.
Buzbee is a widely known title in Texas courtrooms who has received billions of {dollars} in settlements for his shoppers.
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 college and based his personal agency.
His type is “characterised by his aggressive authorized ways, his potential 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 response to his legislation agency’s web site.
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 in opposition to the hip-hop mogul. Buzbee’s lawsuits allege that lots of the individuals he represents have been abused at events in New York, California and Florida the place people got drinks that have been laced with medication.
Combs’ legal professionals have dismissed Buzbee’s lawsuits as “shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract funds from celebrities who concern having lies unfold about them, simply as lies have been unfold about Mr. Combs.”
On Sunday, Jay-Z issued a press release through which he accused Buzbee of attempting to blackmail him by getting him to comply with a authorized settlement over allegations he and Combs raped a lady when she was 13 years outdated.
“I don’t know how you’ve got come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, however I promise you I’ve seen your variety many occasions over,” Jay-Z stated in his assertion. “You declare to be a marine? Marines are recognized for his or her valor, you’ve got neither honor nor dignity.”
Buzbee stated in a Sunday Fb publish he “will not be bullied or intimidated.”
“Daylight is the very best disinfectant and I’m fairly sure the solar is coming,” Buzbee stated.
In 2009, his agency received a $100 million settlement for 10 employees who have 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 three of paying them for sexual acts.
Buzbee has additionally settled lawsuits that he filed on behalf of 25 girls who had accused Watson, when he was with the Houston Texans, of exposing himself, touching them together with his genitals or kissing them in opposition to their will throughout therapeutic massage appointments.
“I’ve dealt with among the largest instances on this state,” Buzbee stated in the course of the 2021 information convention.
Observe Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70
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