Donald Trump accuser Summer Zervos presents witness for unwanted sexual advances claims

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- After former "The Apprentice" contestant Summer Zervos had her credibility attacked for accusing Donald Trump of unwanted sexual advances, a close friend is coming to her aid.

Ann Russo said Zervos confided in her about Trump's alleged sexual advances toward her years ago.

Russo said during a press conference on Sunday that Zervos was conflicted about what she claimed Trump did to her, believing at the time that he knew it was a mistake.

Zervos, of Huntington Beach, came forward on Friday and claimed Trump touched her inappropriately in a bungalow at The Beverly Hills Hotel in 2007.

The Republican presidential nominee denied assaulting Zervos or anyone else, stating his accusers have not provided any witnesses.

Attorney Gloria Allred held a press conference with Russo, a licensed clinical social worker, who said she and Zervos became close friends after meeting in 2010.

"She had difficulty reconciling how a man she had so much respect for as a businessman could behave in such a callous manner," Russo said. "She felt betrayed. She continued to support him and viewed his sexual advances as a mistake that he must have regretted."

At the time, Russo said Zervos told her she met with Trump to explore job opportunities and also told her about the alleged sexual advances.

"Summer told me that he was verbally, physically and sexually aggressive with her and that she had rebuffed his advances," Russo said. "Summer was unsettled by this interaction, but believed at the time that Mr. Trump knew it was a mistake."

A member of Zervos' family cast doubt on her claims in a release from the Trump campaign. In the release, Zervos' cousin wrote that until now she had nothing but glowing things to say about Trump.

However, Allred presented some text messages between Zervos and that cousin.

Allred said the messages indicate Zervos' father fired him from his job at a restaurant and the text messages suggest the cousin may harbor ill will toward Zervos and her family.

Trump has condemned the claims made by Zervos and the other women who accused him of sexual misconduct.