The former ‘Apprentice’ contestant abruptly dropped the lawsuit over Trump’s defamation

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Former “Apprentice” contestant Summer Zervos has agreed to drop her long-standing defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, according to court records.

In a document filed Friday in the New York State Supreme Court, lawyers for Zervos and Trump agreed that “all claims and counter-claims asserted in this matter, or that may be asserted, by it being discarded and discontinued in its entirety. “

The filing court said the claims were dismissed “with bias,” meaning they could no longer be re-filed at a later date, and each party agreed to pay their own costs.

The move came as a surprise, as attorneys for Zervos were on top of Trump’s dismissal in the lawsuit, which he filed in 2017. Last month, an attorney for Trump sought the judge’s permission to add a counterclaim against Zervos for alleged “harassment, intimidation, punishment or otherwise malicious suppression of Trump’s free speech rights. The judge has not yet issued a decision on the motion.

Zervos accused Trump of cheating on him by calling him a liar during his 2016 presidential campaign after he accused him of subjecting him to unwanted kissing and groping. The alleged incident happened when he sought career advice in 2007 after he left the show.

Trump, who has repeatedly denied Zervos’ statements, celebrated the end of the lawsuit in a statement through his political action committee on Friday.

“The lawsuit brought by a woman who made false accusations against President Trump for publicity or money has been dropped in its entirety,” the statement said. “President Trump has been very proven. There isn’t any kind of money, or legal fee, paid by President Trump, who said, ‘It’s very sad when things like this can happen, but it’s very important to fight for truth and justice. .Only success can restore a person’s reputation! ‘”

An attorney for Zervos did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, said Zervos would be on the hook for Trumps attorney fees if the counterclaim were successful.

Made by Ms. Zervos made the prudent decision to voluntarily drop his case without changing any fees or attorney fees. He had no choice but to do so because the facts unearthed in the matter became very clear that our client had done nothing wrong, Habba said.

The suit is one of at least 10 civil cases pending against Trump.

Dareh Gregorian is a political reporter for NBC News.

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