Musician R. Kelly departs from the Leighton Criminal Court building after a status hearing in his criminal sexual abuse trial Wednesday, June 26, 2019 in Chicago. (AP Photo / Amr Alfiky)

CHICAGO (AP) — R. Kelly’s lawyers want a Chicago judge to toss a 2019 lawsuit alleging the singer sexually abused a minor a little over 20 years ago.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports their motion to dismiss was filed Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court.

The lawsuit says the abuse occurred in 1998. Kelly’s attorneys say she had until 2002 to sue. But state law can extend deadlines to file in cases where the accuser becomes aware of the abuse later.

Plaintiff lawyer Jeffrey Deutschman says Kelly has a right to file the motion but that it will drag out the case.

The plaintiff is one of four accusers in a separate criminal case. The suit was filed just before Kelly was charged in February with criminal sexual abuse. He denies ever abusing anyone.

Related stories:

Alleged Sex Tape in R. Kelly Case Turned Over to Defense

Judge Says R. Kelly’s Lawyers Have Week to Answer Lawsuit

R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty to New Sexual Abuse Charges

In ‘Soulless,’ Jim DeRogatis Details ‘The Case Against R. Kelly’