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Mayor Adams faces a sexual assault lawsuit. Here’s what we know.
By
Kerry Nolan
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Nov 27, 2023
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Lev Radin / Pacific Press / LightRocket via Getty Images
By
Kerry Nolan
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Nov 27, 2023
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams is being accused of sexually assaulting a woman three decades ago.
The civil lawsuit was filed last Wednesday, two days before the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Act, which let people sue their alleged abusers in civil court, regardless of the statute of limitations, during a yearlong window.
Adams has denied the allegations. “I have no idea of, you know, why this was brought forth,” he said in an interview on MSNBC on Sunday. “I don't recall ever meeting this person over 30 years ago.”
WNYC's Elizabeth Kim covers the mayor and City Hall and recently spoke with host Kerry Nolan about the case.
Kerry Nolan: What do we know about the alleged incident?
Elizabeth Kim: The court filing is only three pages and short on details. What we know is that the accuser says Adams sexually assaulted her when they were both city employees in 1993. Adams was a transit officer at the time.
She’s accusing him of other charges too: battery, employment discrimination, retaliation and “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”
Aside from Adams, the court filing names the City of New York, the New York Police Department's transit bureau, and the department's Guardians Association, a fraternal organization representing Black officers.
The accuser is seeking at least $5 million in damages.
What do we know about the accuser?
Kim: WNYC is not naming her because she’s an alleged victim of sexual assault. We have reached out to both her and her attorney but neither have responded.
But according to the NYPD, she was appointed in November 1980 as a police administrative aide. She separated from the police department in October 1992. The NYPD also notes she didn’t work for the police department for the entire 12 years.
Can you tell us more about how the Adult Survivors Act allows this lawsuit to be filed now, even though the alleged incident happened 30 years ago?
Kim: The Adult Survivors Act, a state law, was passed in 2022 and gave accusers a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers in civil court and seek monetary damages, regardless of when the abuse occurred.
The law expired last Friday. The state saw numerous lawsuits — some against prominent individuals — in the last week as the deadline approached.
They include one against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was sued for sexual harassment by his former aide Brittany Commisso. Previously, she publicly accused him of groping her in 2020 and filed a criminal complaint against him in 2021. But following an investigation, Albany prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to go to trial.
Cuomo has repeatedly denied Commisso's allegations.
All told, the Adult Survivors Act has ushered in more than 2,500 lawsuits.
Where does this case go from here?
Kim: Wednesday night’s filing was a summons. The next step is for the accuser to file a civil complaint, which is likely to lay out many more specifics on the alleged abuse.
A defendant generally has 20 days to respond. And then a date will be set for both parties to appear in court.
Lastly, the mayor has been under scrutiny for a federal investigation. How do you think the latest allegations affect the mayor and his ability to govern?
Kim: A sexual assault accusation is very serious and it will raise questions about the mayor’s conduct, especially as more details come out once the complaint is filed.
It will also potentially be a major distraction for the mayor, who has significant policy challenges on his plate. The city is in a budget crisis, which has prompted Adams to make steep and unpopular cuts to city services. Part of the budget strain is related to the ongoing influx of migrants that has overwhelmed the city’s shelter system. Adams has been pressuring the Biden administration to deliver more funding, but it’s unclear if that will be successful.
Adams is also being dogged by questions over a federal investigation, which reportedly involves illegal campaign donations.
All of this comes as he approaches the halfway mark of his mayoralty, when he’s trying to make the case that his policies have improved the city. Instead, the focus has been on his ethical behavior and, now, an accusation of sexual misconduct.
Tagged
sexual assault
civil lawsuit
new york city
nypd
Politics
eric adams
Kerry Nolan
Kerry Nolan anchors the morning newscasts on WQXR. She came to WNYC in 1993 and has been local host for Weekend All Things Considered and Weekend Edition Saturday and Sunday. She has filled in as guest host on WNYC produced programs including The Brian Lehrer Show, The Leonard Lopate Show, Soundcheck and On the Media.
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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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