A writer, E. Jean Carrol, who accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault, sued him on Thursday
This came hours after the new New York law went into effect that allows victims of sexual violence to sue over attacks that took place decades ago.
A long-associated advice columnist for Elle magazine first claimed that Trump raped her in a Manhattan department store in a 2019 book. She claims that this incident took place in 1995 or 1996, and she seeks justice.
She went on to seek an unspecified amount of compensation and punishment for Trump for the physical and mental damages she has faced.
After the claims got some wind, Trump responded that the allegations were fake. He stated that Carrol was not his type, so this could never have happened.
Donald Trump has had his share of controversies, including the issue of defamation lawsuits after his this statement. His remarks led Carroll to file a lawsuit against him.
But that lawsuit has been on and off appeals courts as judges decide whether Trump is protected from legal suits for comments issued during his presidency or not.
Previously, Carroll was banned by state law from suing Trump to solve the alleged rape case because it had been too many years since the incident.
However, New York now has a new law that allows victims of sex crimes who have missed deadlines linked with the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit. A year-long window for such suits will open, after which the usual time limits will be back in place.
Hundreds of lawsuits are expected that may include cases filed by women who say they were assaulted by people they know at work, medical providers, prison guards, or others.
In the updated lawsuit, Carrol sticks to her previous claims about Trump forcibly raping and groping her in Manhattan. She also claims that she faced defamation after comments Trump made about her and denied the claims.
As per AP News, Trump wrote in his statement that Carroll completely made up a story, and he met her at the doors of this crowded New York City Department Store. He said he swooned her within minutes. He is clear that it is a hoax and a lie.
If it is determined that the president has immunity to defamation claims due to his job duties, as the president, Carroll would not be able to sue him for disparaging remarks he made
However, she could sue him if her case against him was related to an issue of public interest; and happened when he was not holding any government office.
Furthermore, Trump’s lawyers did not clear the fog about whether they will represent him in court or not. At the same time, Carrol’s attorney said that the new claims wouldn’t need much new proof, and she had already attached the copies in the original file.
