WASHINGTON — Hillary Clinton asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit by former President Donald Trump accusing her of participating in a vast conspiracy against him, calling the case a “fundraising tool” full of political grievances that has no place in court.
Trump’s suit claims Clinton, the Democratic Party and dozens of other people ginned up allegations that he colluded with Russia before and after the 2016 election, leading to an FBI investigation that has harmed his reputation and hurt his finances.
In a motion to dismiss filed in federal court in Florida, Clinton said the suit was full of false claims about her and other Democrats and was also filed too late. She said that Trump was making similar allegations in 2017, placing his claims beyond the statute of limitations.
“Notwithstanding his rousing, all-caps call to action, Plaintiff waited four years, four months, and twenty-four days before filing suit. His delay renders each of his claims untimely,” Clinton’s attorneys said in the filing.
The suit, filed in March, claims Trump and his real-estate company have racked up at least $24 million in legal expenses and suffered losses on “existing and future business opportunities” as a result of allegations that he had corrupt ties to Russia and its president.
Trump’s complaint names more than a dozen defendants, many of whom he has previously publicly attacked. They include former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey, Clinton Campaign Chair John Podesta and British intelligence ex-agent Christopher Steele. Filed under the civil version of a racketeering statute normally used against organized crime, the suit largely echoes themes from the former president’s speeches and public statements.
