A Manhattan judge has again denied President Trump’s request to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos against him, clearing the way for the President to be deposed by January 31, CNN reports.
Summer Zervos’s Lawsuit Can Proceed
“An appellate court in New York has rejected President Trump’s assertion that a sitting president cannot be sued in state court — a ruling stemming from a defamation lawsuit filed by a former The Apprentice contestant who accused the president of groping and kissing her in 2007,” ABC News reports.
“Summer Zervos’ lawsuit is now allowed to proceed with the prospect of the president having to sit for a deposition.”
The Washington Post notes the court cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Clinton v. Jones, which established that presidents can be sued while in office for unofficial acts.
Summer Zervos Case Might Be Most Dangerous for Trump
The Hill: “A ruling by a New York state judge this week said Trump can be deposed in the defamation lawsuit filed by Summer Zervos, the former contestant who has accused Trump of unwanted advances.”
“Some see the legal fight, which has received less publicity than other cases, as the most dangerous to Trump because it could lead to testimony where he’d risk lying or making a misstatement under oath.”
Judge Rules Trump Can Be Deposed
A judge ruled that President Trump can be deposed in a defamation lawsuit brought last year by Summer Zervos, a former contestant on “The Apprentice” who says Trump kissed and groped her after she appeared on the show, Politico reports.
“Trump could still avoid a deposition, though. His lawyers have appealed to New York’s highest court in hopes of avoiding it. His legal team has argued that Zervos’ lawsuit is politically motivated.”
Trump Accuser Seeks ‘The Apprentice’ Recordings
“Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice who accused President Trump of sexual assault, is seeking records to prove that he defamed her by calling her a liar,” the New York Times reports.
“A lawyer for Ms. Zervos, who is suing Mr. Trump for defamation in New York, said on Wednesday that subpoenas had been issued both to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which owns archives of the reality show, and to the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Ms. Zervos says he groped her in 2007.”
