Accused “rape” lawyer Sanford Rubenstein was conspicuously absent Wednesday from settlement discussions on one of his top civil cases over the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.

Rubenstein had shown up for nearly every court hearing in his $40 million suit against the city and unlicensed teen driver Franklin Reyes before he was accused of sexually assaulting a top female board member of Al Sharpton’s National Action Network earlier this month.

Rubenstein’s colleague from another law firm, Ira Newman, would not explain his nonattendance.

No one from Rubenstein’s firm showed up.

Rubenstein’s law partner, Scott Rynecki, told The Post that all the firm’s attorneys were busy at other court appearances.

“I wouldn’t read anything into it,” Rynecki said, adding that his firm still represents the Russos.

Russo’s parents, Sofia and Alan, were also now shows even though they had religiously attended the Manhattan Supreme Court appearances in the past. They did not return calls for comment.

Reyes smashed into Russo last year as he was trying to evade cops pursuing him in a high-speed chase. Their case against the city claims a dispatcher delayed sending an ambulance to rescue the unconscious tot.

The parties would not comment on the settlement talks.