NEW YORK , A former Apprentice contestant accused of sexual assault against former President Donald Trump has dropped her defamation suit against him Friday.
Summer Zervos sued New York’s former president in 2017 alleging that he had damaged her reputation by saying she and other women claiming sexual assault and harassment were fabricating the matter.
Friday’s filing stated that the case had been dismissed and was discontinued with prejudice. This means Zervos cannot file the same claim in the future in state court. In the filing, each party was responsible for their own expenses.
Zervos claimed that Trump had kissed and groped her in 2007 against her will, and it was a claim he made during his 2016 presidential campaign. He denied making the allegations.
Moira Penza and Beth Wilkinson, Zervos’ lawyers, stated in statements that Ms. Zervos has decided to stop suing the defendant after five years and is now free to talk freely about her experiences.”
They stated that Zervos stood by her allegations and had not accepted any compensation.
Alina Habba Trump’s lawyer called Zervos decision to drop the case “prudent”.
Habba stated that she had no choice but make this statement because the facts in this case made it clear that our client was innocent.
It is sad that such things can happen but it is vital to fight for justice and truth. Trump stated in his own statement that only victory can restore one’s reputation.
Habba had requested permission from the court to file a counterclaim for Zervos last month. Both sides were due to complete depositions on Dec. 23.
Unless they are openly identified by the Associated Press, people who claim they were sexually assaulted generally won’t be identified by them. Zervos did.