NEW YORK , A 2008 settlement agreement, which Prince Andrew's lawyer claims would protect him from claims that he sexually abused a 17-year-old American girl can be kept secret, a New York judge ruled Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan issued the decision in a short order. This was after Andrew's lawyer requested that the document be sealed until he files arguments explaining why he believes the judge should dismiss the lawsuit. Andrew Brettler, Attorney, stated that he would like to include a copy the agreement along with the arguments.

Virginia Giuffre alleges that the prince had abused her multiple times in 2001. Andrew claims he has never had sex in public with her.

Brettler has called the lawsuit "baseless", said neither Giuffre nor the prince contend that the release agreement should remain sealed. However, they requested that it be kept secret as it is subject to a protective Order from another New York judge who presides over a federal civil case.

Giuffre and Jeffrey Epstein reached a settlement. Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his cell at age 66 while awaiting the outcome of a New York federal court case on sex trafficking. His suicide was ruled.

Kaplan stated in his Wednesday order that Jeffrey Epstein's Estate does not believe that the settlement agreement should be sealed.

Kaplan appeared to encourage the parties to ask Loretta A. Preska, the judge in the other case, to allow the document to be unsealed. Preska stated that she "might well consider with favor an application...to permit the public disclosure the Settlement Agreement."

He wrote that "But that's for her to decide," and that the agreement could be filed under seal.

Brettler stated in his Tuesday filing that the agreement "releases Prince Andrew from any purported liability arising out of the claims Ms. Giuffre made against Prince Andrew here."

Next week is the hearing in Prince Andrew's lawsuit.

Unless they make it public, the Associated Press doesn't usually identify victims of sexual assault. Giuffre did.