Judges decline Damon Dash's relocation bid

NEW YORK, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A panel of judges in New York has declined a request by music mogul Damon Dash to relocate his upcoming sexual assault lawsuit to Brazil.

Dash, who co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records, wanted the case moved to Brazil because that's where the assault he is accused of occurred in 2003.

The 35-year-old music mogul was on the island of Angra off the Brazilian coast on Jan. 1, 2003, when he allegedly assaulted Kristie Thompson, the plaintiff in the $15 million lawsuit.

"I'm sure he'd love to bury this case in some little outpost down there, but now he'll have to deal with this in the New York courts," said Thompson's lawyer, Raoul Felder.

Dash, who was never charged criminally in the case, has maintained his innocence, the New York Post reported.