U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan has ruled that former U.S. President Donald Trump must be deposed in an ongoing defamation lawsuit initiated by writer E. Jean Carroll.
The deposition in question was triggered by an allegation that the former reality show host raped the writer in the mid-1990s. As the allegations arose during his presidency, Trump responded by making unflattering remarks about the writer and said that he was not his “type.” Five months later, Carroll filed a lawsuit against the former U.S. President while he was in office. In response, Trump and his attorneys have argued that he should be protected by a federal law that immunizes government employees from most defamation claims. As a result, legal proceedings regarding the matter have been slowed down over the last few years.
“We are pleased that Judge Kaplan agreed with our position not to stay discovery in this case,” Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, stated.
Trump has continued to refute the allegation that he raped Carroll and rebukes her defamation claims.
“We look forward to establishing on the record that this case is, and always has been, entirely without merit,” Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, commented.
“In the meantime, and for the record, E. Jean Carroll is not telling the truth, is a woman who I had nothing to do with, didn’t know, and would have no interest in knowing her if I ever had the chance,” Trump added.
While the deposition is slated to occur this fall, it may not be the end of Trump’s legal battles with Carroll. A recently passed law in New York allows victims of sexual misconduct to file lawsuits even if the statute of limitations has expired. Multiple reports indicate that the former Elle columnist plans to sue the former President for emotional distress and battery.
BREAKING:
NEW YORK (AP) — Trump must sit for deposition next week in defamation lawsuit filed by writer who accused him of rape, judge rules.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 12, 2022
