NEW YORK (AP) — A New York court says former "Apprentice" contestant Summer Zervos can proceed with her defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump, at least for now.

A state appeals court on Thursday turned down a request by Trump's lawyers to delay the case while they appeal a lower-court decision.

Zervos appeared on Trump's former show, "The Apprentice," in 2006.

She says he subjected her to unwanted groping and kisses when she sought a job in 2007.

When Trump called her a liar, she sued.

Trump's lawyers want to freeze the case until an appeals court decides whether a president can be sued in state court. That's likely to take at least until fall.

The decision means Zervos' lawyers can proceed with demands that the president give a deposition and turn over documents.