NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on a defamation lawsuit filed against President Donald Trump by a former contestant on “The Apprentice” (all times local):
4:55 p.m.
A former cast member of the reality TV show “The Apprentice” who has accused Donald Trump of unwanted sexual contact and has filed a New York defamation lawsuit against him has thanked her lawyers and says the case should go forward.
Summer Zervos was flanked by attorneys Gloria Allred and Mariann Wang outside court Tuesday. Zervos says she’s grateful for their help and, “Justice prevails.”
Zervos filed the lawsuit in January, saying Trump defamed her when he said she was lying about claims he sexually harassed her in California years ago.
Trump’s lawyers say the case can’t go forward while he’s president because he’s too busy and important.
A judge says she’ll issue a ruling later.
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3:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump’s lawyers say he should be immune from a New York defamation lawsuit filed by a former contestant on his reality TV show “The Apprentice” in part because he’s too busy and important.
Attorney Marc Kasowitz argued Tuesday the lawsuit filed by Summer Zervos should at least be delayed until Trump is no longer in office. He says Trump is protected by the U.S. Constitution from being sued in state court while he’s president.
Zervos was a contestant on Trump’s reality TV show in 2006. She said at a news conference last year that he made unwanted sexual contact with her at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel in 2007.
Trump dismissed her claims as “fabricated and made-up.” Zervos sued in January, saying that was defamatory. Her attorneys say they’ll be flexible to work around Trump’s schedule.
A judge will decide later whether to delay or toss the case.
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1:15 p.m.
A New York City judge is scheduled to hear arguments on whether to toss a defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump by a former “Apprentice” contestant who accused him of unwanted sexual contact.
Trump’s lawyers say the case should be thrown out because he is protected by the U.S. Constitution from being sued in state court while he’s president.
Summer Zervos was a contestant on Trump’s reality TV show in 2006. She said at a news conference last year that he made unwanted sexual contact with her at a Beverly Hills hotel in 2007.
Trump dismissed her claims as “fabricated and made-up.” She sued in January, saying that was defamatory.
His lawyers also say his speech is protected by the First Amendment.
Judge Jennifer Schecter will issue a ruling after hearing arguments Tuesday.
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