New York's 'Sex Crime Statute of Limitations Suspension Law' Takes Effect... Trump Sued Immediately

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] As a special law suspending the statute of limitations on sex crimes was enacted in New York, USA, former U.S. President Donald Trump was immediately sued for sexual assault allegations from over 20 years ago.

On the 24th (local time), CNN reported that E. Jean Carroll (78), a columnist for the fashion magazine Elle, filed a lawsuit against former President Trump at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, New York, accusing him of assault and defamation. This day marked the first day the special law, the "Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act," which allows civil lawsuits for sex crimes even after the statute of limitations has expired for one year, took effect in New York State.

According to reports, this is the second time Carroll has filed a lawsuit against former President Trump. Three years ago, in 2019, Carroll revealed that Trump attempted to sexually assault her in a fitting room of a luxury department store in Manhattan in the mid-1990s. However, at that time, former President Trump denied these claims, stating, "I have never met her, and she is not my type." He also claimed that Carroll fabricated the story to boost sales of her book. In response, Carroll countered with a defamation lawsuit.

In this new lawsuit, Carroll added assault charges in addition to defamation. Thanks to the Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act enacted in New York State, Carroll is allowed to file a civil lawsuit for the mid-1990s incident for one year until November next year.

The complaint includes that former President Trump's sexual assault caused significant physical and psychological harm, resulting in loss of dignity and invasion of privacy. It also demands that Trump retract his past defamatory statements, compensate the victim, and pay punitive damages. Carroll has requested the court to consolidate the assault lawsuit filed on this day with the previously filed defamation lawsuit to proceed as a single trial early next year.

Former President Trump's side maintained their previous stance that these allegations are not true. Alina Habba, Trump's attorney, stated, "We respect sexual assault victims taking legal action, but this case is an abuse of the intent of the Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act."

Earlier, former President Trump posted on his social network service, Truth Social, "I do not know this woman. I have no idea who she is," adding, "She is fabricating stories that I 'knocked her out' within minutes of meeting her at a crowded New York City department store entrance. This is a lie, just like other falsehoods over the past seven years." He also reiterated, "She is not my type."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.