Prince Andrew Must Face, Sexual Abuse Lawsuit, , Judge Rules.<br />On January 12, a federal judge <br />in New York ruled that a lawsuit against <br />Prince Andrew can move forward. .<br />'Vice' reports that the lawsuit <br />accuses Prince Andrew of sexually <br />abusing an underage girl. .<br />The decision by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan would make it possible for the royal to face trial. .<br />The decision by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan would make it possible for the royal to face trial. .<br />According to 'Vice,' the prince <br />has argued that a 2009 settlement involving <br />Jeffrey Epstein protected him from prosecution. .<br />According to 'Vice,' the prince <br />has argued that a 2009 settlement involving <br />Jeffrey Epstein protected him from prosecution. .<br />Virginia Giuffre has long accused Epstein <br />of trafficking her to Prince Andrew<br />for sex while she was still underage. .<br />Virginia Giuffre has long accused Epstein <br />of trafficking her to Prince Andrew<br />for sex while she was still underage. .<br />According to Giuffre, she was forced into <br />sexual encounters with Andrew in New York City, <br />London and on Epstein's private island. .<br />Giuffre's lawsuit also accuses Ghislane Maxwell, <br />who was recently convicted of five federal sex trafficking <br />charges, of helping to facilitate the encounters. .<br />Giuffre's lawsuit also accuses Ghislane Maxwell, <br />who was recently convicted of five federal sex trafficking <br />charges, of helping to facilitate the encounters. .<br />'Vice' reports that a 2009 settlement <br />between Giuffre and Epstein had <br />remained secret up until this year. .<br />According to 'Vice,' that settlement <br />contained a clause that offered <br />protection to anyone who could <br />be a "potential defendant" <br />from future lawsuits. .<br />According to 'Vice,' that settlement <br />contained a clause that offered <br />protection to anyone who could <br />be a "potential defendant" <br />from future lawsuits. .<br />According to the prince's legal team, the 2009 <br />settlement protected the royal from prosecution. .<br />However, 'Vice' points out that the ruling by <br />U.S. District Judge Kaplan would appear <br />to disagree with Prince Andrew's legal team.
