Judge throws out Kesha’s sexual abuse claims vs. producer

NEW YORK – A New York judge has thrown out pop star Kesha’s hate-crime and human-rights claims that producer Dr. Luke drugged, sexually abused and emotionally tormented her.

State Supreme Court Justice Shirley Werner Kornreich ruled Wednesday that those claims by the platinum-selling singer can’t go forward because the alleged rape and abuse happened outside New York and beyond the legal time limit. The judge also said “every rape is not a gender-motivated hate crime.”

But the judge said the lawsuit can proceed on Kesha’s contract issues.

Dr. Luke has denied the allegations.

The dispute has sparked protests by Kesha’s fans and support from celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga.

The Associated Press generally doesn’t identify people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they come forward publicly, as Kesha has done.