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Trump sued for defamation by former Apprentice Summer Zervos | Trump sued for defamation by former Apprentice Summer Zervos |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A former Apprentice contestant who accuses US President-elect Donald Trump of sexual assault has filed a defamation lawsuit against him. | A former Apprentice contestant who accuses US President-elect Donald Trump of sexual assault has filed a defamation lawsuit against him. |
Summer Zervos, who alleges Mr Trump forced himself on her in 2007, said he lied to the nation about his behaviour. | Summer Zervos, who alleges Mr Trump forced himself on her in 2007, said he lied to the nation about his behaviour. |
The lawsuit, which Ms Zervos announced at a news conference, alleges Mr Trump is a "liar and misogynist" who "debased and denigrated" her. | The lawsuit, which Ms Zervos announced at a news conference, alleges Mr Trump is a "liar and misogynist" who "debased and denigrated" her. |
The news came just three days before Mr Trump is sworn in as president. | The news came just three days before Mr Trump is sworn in as president. |
"Since Mr Trump has not issued a retraction, as I requested, he has therefore left me with no alternative but to sue him in order to vindicate my reputation," Ms Zervos told journalists in Los Angeles. | "Since Mr Trump has not issued a retraction, as I requested, he has therefore left me with no alternative but to sue him in order to vindicate my reputation," Ms Zervos told journalists in Los Angeles. |
She was joined by her lawyer, Gloria Allred, a Democratic party activist, who said the plaintiff's allegations had passed a lie detector test. | She was joined by her lawyer, Gloria Allred, a Democratic party activist, who said the plaintiff's allegations had passed a lie detector test. |
Ms Zervos is one of several women who came forward to accuse Mr Trump of sexual assault in the weeks leading up to the presidential election. | Ms Zervos is one of several women who came forward to accuse Mr Trump of sexual assault in the weeks leading up to the presidential election. |
The 41-year-old former reality show contestant said Mr Trump sexually assaulted her during a meeting to discuss job opportunities at a Beverly Hills hotel. | The 41-year-old former reality show contestant said Mr Trump sexually assaulted her during a meeting to discuss job opportunities at a Beverly Hills hotel. |
She said he "began thrusting his genitals" as she fended off his advances. | She said he "began thrusting his genitals" as she fended off his advances. |
The president-elect has dismissed the claims as "false and ridiculous" and vowed to sue the accusers for their allegations. | The president-elect has dismissed the claims as "false and ridiculous" and vowed to sue the accusers for their allegations. |
Mr Trump, a Republican, has not filed a lawsuit against any of the women. | Mr Trump, a Republican, has not filed a lawsuit against any of the women. |
Ms Zervos' lawsuit alleges that the president-elect defamed her by denying her account and accusing her and other women of fabricating sexual assault claims. | Ms Zervos' lawsuit alleges that the president-elect defamed her by denying her account and accusing her and other women of fabricating sexual assault claims. |
She asked Mr Trump to retract his words late last year, but he declined to do so. | She asked Mr Trump to retract his words late last year, but he declined to do so. |
Ms Allred said Mr Trump "knowingly, intentionally and maliciously threw each of these women under the bus" and that repeatedly calling them "liars" in public caused distress. | |
Ms Zervos added that she would be willing to rescind the lawsuit if the president-elect retracts the statements he made and acknowledges his behaviour towards her. | Ms Zervos added that she would be willing to rescind the lawsuit if the president-elect retracts the statements he made and acknowledges his behaviour towards her. |
The incoming 45th president faced a series of sexual assault allegations after the October release of a 2005 videotape in which he is caught making lewd comments about groping women. | The incoming 45th president faced a series of sexual assault allegations after the October release of a 2005 videotape in which he is caught making lewd comments about groping women. |
The video prompted several women, including Ms Zervos, to come forward. | The video prompted several women, including Ms Zervos, to come forward. |
As it fought her allegations, the Trump campaign released a statement from someone it identified as Ms Zervos' first cousin. | As it fought her allegations, the Trump campaign released a statement from someone it identified as Ms Zervos' first cousin. |
John Barry wrote that he was "shocked and bewildered" by her allegations, insisting Ms Zervos had only previously said "glowing" things about Mr Trump. | John Barry wrote that he was "shocked and bewildered" by her allegations, insisting Ms Zervos had only previously said "glowing" things about Mr Trump. |