Topline
New York City Mayor Eric Adams was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the 1990s in a summons filed Wednesday, just hours before the expiration of a New York law that allows survivors to sue for sexual abuse regardless of the statue of limitations—an allegation the mayor denied.
Adams denied the claim made against him saying, “it did not happen.”
Key Facts
According to the summons, first reported by the Messenger, the plaintiff alleges she was sexually assaulted by Adams in 1993 when they both worked for the City of New York.
The summons—which will later be followed by a full complaint explaining the claims—did not include details about the allegation and was filed in the Manhattan Supreme Court.
Along with Adams, the New York City police department and the Guardian Association of the NYPD are also listed as defendants in the filing, multiple outlets reported.
Megan Goddard, the accuser’s attorney, told the Guardian that her practice is “immensely proud of our client and all the women who are seeking justice under the [Adult Survivors Act].”
Crucial Quote
“It absolutely did not happen,” Adams said to reporters Friday afternoon. “I don’t recall ever meeting this person and I would never harm anyone in that magnitude. It did not happen.”
Key Background
The filing comes as the New York Adult Survivors Act—which allows accusers to file lawsuits against alleged sexual abusers regardless of when the abuse occured—is set to expire Thursday. The New York law prompted a wave of high-profile lawsuits, including against former President Donald Trump, producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, actor Jamie Foxx and Guns N’ Roses frontrunner Axl Rose.
Tangent
The allegations mark the second time Adams has made headlines in recent weeks. The FBI seized Adams’ electronic devices earlier this month as part of an investigation into whether Adams’ mayoral campaign knowingly received illegal donations from Turkish nationals. Adams previously said he expects his staff to “follow the law and cooperate with any sort of investigation,” adding, “I have nothing to hide.”
Further Reading
FBI Seized NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Phones Amid Campaign Investigation (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/11/23/new-york-city-mayor-eric-adams-accused-of-1993-sexual-assault-in-filing/