Prince Andrew rejected in effort to get US sexual abuse case dismissed

[nitpicker]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/12/prince-andrew-case-proceed-latest-ruling-virginia-giuffre

Prince Andrew rejected in effort to get US sexual abuse case dismissed

Victoria Bekiempis in New York
Wed 12 Jan 2022 14.27 GMT

Longtime Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre’s sexual abuse lawsuit against him can move forward, as a New York judge rejected the royal’s efforts to dismiss her civil claim on Wednesday.

Giuffre, who has alleged that the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell sexually abused her, said they forced her into sex with the Duke of York at age 17. She filed suit against the royal on 9 August, citing battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Prince Andrew’s legal team had argued in court papers and proceedings that Giuffre’s 2009 settlement with Epstein shielded him from her lawsuit. The settlement, which was unsealed on 3 January, awarded Giuffre $500,000.
(snip)

Kaplan’s decision deals yet another blow to the embattled British prince, whose reputation and standing within the royal family has been saddled by his ties to Epstein and Maxwell.
(snip)

[captain queeg]

1. If TFG was still in office, the prince would get a pass.

[Effete Snob]

2. Why would Judge Kaplan care who was in office?

Do all judges nominated by President Clinton give passes to parties based on whether Trump is president?

How does that work?