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Mayor Eric Adams accused of sexually assaulting woman in 1993
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Nov 23, 2023
Modified Nov 23, 2023
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Taylor Hill/Getty Images
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Nov 23, 2023
Modified Nov 23, 2023
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Mayor Eric Adams is being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 1993 as part of a lawsuit filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act.
The three-page summons was filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan on Wednesday night, two days before the law expires. The Adult Survivors Act was passed by the state Legislature in 2022, and has for the last year allowed accusers to sue their alleged abusers in civil court and seek monetary damages, regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Gothamist is withholding the name of the mayor’s accuser, but the summons states she was sexually assaulted by Adams, a former NYPD officer, when they both worked for the city of New York.
Adams was a transit police officer at the time of the alleged assault. The court filing also names the transit bureau of the NYPD, the Guardian Association of the NYPD, a fraternal organization of Black law enforcement officers, and three other unknown entities as defendants.
Along with sexual assault, the suit also accuses Adams, the NYPD and the other co-defendants of battery, employment discrimination, retaliation and “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”
The woman is seeking at least $5 million, according to the summons.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Megan Goddard did not respond to a request for comment.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Adams strongly denied the charges.
“It absolutely did not happen,” he said. “I don't recall ever meeting this person. And I would never harm anyone in that magnitude.”
Adams’ spokesperson Charles Lutvak issued a statement earlier in the day. “The mayor does not know who this person is,” he said. “If they ever met, he doesn’t recall it.”
The accusation comes at a difficult moment for the mayor, who is under heavy scrutiny. His campaign is facing a federal investigation that recently resulted in FBI agents seizing his electronic devices and raiding the home of a key fundraiser.
Adams has not been accused of wrongdoing. The probe is reportedly related to illegal donations from Turkish officials as well a Brooklyn construction company that threw a fundraiser for Adams.
More than 2,500 people have been sued under the Adult Survivors Act. They include several high profile figures like former President Donald Trump, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Bill Cosby and actor Russell Brand.
Brooklyn state Senator Kevin Parker is also facing a civil lawsuit from a woman accusing him of raping her in her apartment in 2004.
Parker has denied the allegations.
Tagged
public safety
Politics
Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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