While the sexual assault allegations and the repercussions for Harvey Weinstein still dominate the news, the case against President Donald Trump saw new developments as well.
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, filed a subpoena for "all documents concerning any woman who asserted that Donald J. Trump touched her inappropriately." It names Trump's campaign organization and any applicable "directors, officers, partners, shareholders, managers, attorneys, employees, agents and representatives" as subjects.
In October 2016, Zervos alleged Donald Trump, without her consent, tried to kiss and touch her inappropriately at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2007. Her allegations came after the release of an Access Hollywood tape from 2005 where Trump states he often grabs attractive women and kisses them without asking first.
He followed by stating:
“And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.”
At the time, 11 different women accused Trump of sexual misconduct.
He tweeted a denial of all the allegations.
Zervos' subpoena requests "all documents concerning any accusations" made "during Donald J. Trump’s election campaign for president, that he subjected any woman to unwanted sexual touching and/or sexually inappropriate behavior." It also names 10 women and asks for all associated documentation "or (for) any woman alleging that Donald J. Trump touched her inappropriately."
Trump called the accusations “lies, lies, lies,” which led Zervos to sue him for defamation. His lawyer filed for dismissal in July, claiming that presidents cannot face civil lawsuits while in office. That motion could decide the merit of this subpoena, according to Gloria Allred, the attorney representing Zervos.
The subpoena was served, but we agreed with the campaign to adjourn their response date until after the motion to dismiss is decided, as long as they gave us assurances that the documents be preserved."
Allred said Trump must reply to their filed opposition of his motion to dismiss by Oct 31. The court will schedule a hearing for argument once he files his reply. There is no hearing date yet.
When news of the subpoena broke, Trump was with Senator Rand Paul at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
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