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U.S. NEWS Friday 15 June 2018

N.Y. high court nixes Trump’s bid to delay defamation suit

lawyers have issued sub- cused him of inappropriate Trump lawyer Marc Kasow-
poenas seeking a range of touching and any unaired itz argued last week that
information about Trump’s “Apprentice” footage that the campaign shouldn’t
behavior toward women, might feature Trump dis- have to turn over any ma-
including any Trump cam- cussing female contestants terial about other wom-
paign documents concern- in a sexual or inappropriate en. A judge hasn’t yet
ing any woman who ac- way. decided.q

In this Dec. 5, 2017 file photo, Summer Zervos leaves Manhattan
Supreme Court at the conclusion of a hearing in New York.
Associated Press
By JENNIFER PELTZ sued in a state court.
Associated Press Instead, the Court of Ap-
NEW YORK (AP) — New peals said the case was
York’s highest court on simply in too early a stage
Thursday turned down Pres- for its consideration.
ident Donald Trump’s latest Zervos, a California restau-
bid to delay a defamation rateur, appeared in 2006
suit filed by a former “Ap- on the Republican presi-
prentice” contestant who dent’s former reality show,
accused him of unwanted “The Apprentice.”
groping and kissing. She says he made unwant-
The ruling by the state ed advances when she
Court of Appeals didn’t ad- sought career advice in
dress either side’s central 2007, then defamed her by
arguments. But it means calling her a liar after she
evidence-gathering in came forward late in his
Summer Zervos’ lawsuit can 2016 presidential race. She
proceed, at least for now. is seeking a retraction, an
Zervos’ lawyer, Mariann apology and compensato-
Wang, said she looks for- ry and punitive damages.
ward to continuing with the Trump’s attorneys have
case “and exposing the said that his statements
truth.” Trump, who denies were true, and also that his
Zervos’ allegations, is trying remarks were “non-defam-
to get the case dismissed atory opinions” that came
or postponed until after his amid the heated public
presidency. A mid-level ap- debate of a national politi-
pellate court is due to con- cal campaign.
sider that request in the fall. At a court hearing last
Trump’s lawyers at Kasow- week, a judge set dead-
itz Benson Torres LLP noted lines that could make
that Thursday’s ruling didn’t Trump and Zervos answer
speak to their argument for questions under oath by
tossing out the case: That early next year.
a sitting president can’t be In the meantime, Zervos’