New York – Former President Donald Trump Wednesday answered questions under oath in a lawsuit filed by magazine columnist E. Gene Carroll, who claims he raped her in a department store locker room in the mid-1990s.
The deposition gave Carroll’s attorney the opportunity to question Trump about the assault allegations and statements he made in 2019. when she talks about herself in public first time.
Details of how the deposit was made were not immediately disclosed.
“I am pleased to have completed the deposition of Donald Trump today on behalf of my client, E. Gene Carroll. Kaplan Hecker & Fink said in a statement.
Trump has said Carroll’s rape allegations are “hoaxed and false.”
His team of lawyers worked for years to delay depositions in lawsuits filed when the Republican was still president.federal judge last week refused Trump’s demands He said, “We could not run out of time on plaintiffs’ attempts to obtain relief for what was allegedly a gross error.”
Attorney Alina Habba, who represents Trump, said Wednesday, “My client is pleased to set the record straight today. This case is another on the long list of witch hunts against Donald Trump. Like many cases, it’s just a political ruse.”
Carroll was set to be questioned by Trump’s attorneys last Friday.
Lawyers also did not disclose whether Trump’s deposition was conducted in person or remotely via video. Trump was in Florida on Wednesday. The lawsuit is being handled in New York City courts.
What Trump said during the deposition could be used as evidence in an upcoming civil trial. He has not faced criminal charges related to Carroll’s allegations and is unlikely to be charged.
Similar legal deadlines also applied to civil cases alleging sexual assault. As a result, Carroll chose to sue Trump for defamation for comments Trump made in 2019 denying wrongdoing. She claims her reputation has been damaged by his denial and attack on her credibility and character.
However, the New York legislature recently gave people a year to take past sexual assault allegations in civil court. Carroll’s lawyers said in court, I’m going to file such a lawsuit against Trump. The window will then open in late November.
Carroll explains that she bumped into Trump while the two were shopping at the Bergdorf Goodman store across Fifth Avenue from Trump Tower. At the time, Carol was appearing on television as the host of the advice show Ask E. Jean.
She said the two exchanged friendly banter when she tried to help him choose a gift. said.
In a recent statement, Trump called the story “a complete scam.”
“I don’t know this woman, nor do I know who she is. It looks like she got the photo,” Trump said. .
___
Contributed by Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Michael R. Sisak.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/politics/2022/10/19/trump-deposed-in-defamation-suit-filed-by-e-jean-carroll/ Trump Fired in Defamation Lawsuit Filed by E. Gene Carroll