Prince Andrew Problems Never-Ending? Duke May Face More Lawsuits
While Prince Andrew has already settled the case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre, it is possible that this is only the beginning of the difficulties he will face in his remaining years.
The Duke of York may face additional sex assault cases in the United States as a result of a prospective change in the legislation, including one filed by a woman alleging the disgraced royal touched her.
Prince Andrew paid an unknown sum to settle the charges brought against him, but many assume it was between $12 million and $15 million.
A New York law permitted Virginia's lawsuit, which allowed victims of previous child sex abuse to sue their alleged perpetrators notwithstanding the statute of limitations, to proceed.
42-year-old Johanna Sjoberg, the owner of a Florida hair shop, has claimed on numerous occasions that the former royal touched her breast in 2001.She was 21 years old at the time.
Johanna, who was not an alleged victim in Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking trial two months ago, first revealed her meeting with the Prince in 2007.
She claimed that she met Prince Andrew, Ghislaine Maxwell, and other girls her age and characterized the prince as "charming," adding that she didn't know who he was but felt as if she did.
"Andrew sat in another chair, I sat on his lap - and he placed his hand on my breast," she alleged as they posed with Virginia and another girl for a photograph taken by Ghislaine.
She further claims that Epstein groomed her and promised her "excitement and splendor."
So far, she was unable to sue him for the assault because the statute prohibiting child sex abuse did not apply to her and too much time had passed.
However, a new bill that could be passed into law later this year in New York would allow victims to bring their claims to court as well.
According to Gloria Allred, a famous lawyer who represented victims of infamous financier Jeffrey Epstein, there are some initiatives underway in New York state to amend the statute of limitations for adult victims of adult sexual assault.
"The goal is to essentially model it after the Child Victims Act in order to offer a year in which an adult victim of adult sexual assault may sue," she explained.
In addition to mentioning the disgraced royal, Gloria stated that she is unaware of any other person who may say Prince Andrew wrongfully assaulted her, but if there are any victims out there, "then they would require a new legislation."
According to The Sun, the Senate adopted the state's Adult Survivors Act in June but has since stalled in the Assembly.
It is possible that it will be passed during this legislative session, which concludes in June.
