New York City Mayor Eric Adams is being sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman back in 1993.
A new lawsuit was filed against the mayor on Wednesday – just two days before the New York’s Adult Survivors Act expires on Friday.
In the suit, the woman, who has not been identified, alleges Mr Adams assaulted her when they were both working for the New York Police Department (NYPD).
Between 1984 and 2006, Mr Adams worked in the city’s police force, rising up the ranks to become captain before entering the world of politics.
“Plaintiff was sexually assaulted by Defendant Eric Adams in New York in 1993 while they both worked for the City of New York,” the summons said.
“The claims brought here allege intentional and negligent acts and omissions for physical, psychological, and other injuries suffered as a result of conduct that would constitute sexual offenses,” it added.
According to the filing, the woman is seeking a trial and $5m in damages.
A spokesperson for Mr Adams said the mayor denies the allegation, while the NYPD said it has no record of the woman working for the police department, ABC affiliate WABC-TV reported.
New York Mayor Eric Adams arrives at a news conference at New York’s City Hall on 14 November— (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
“The mayor does not know who this person is. If they ever met, he doesn’t recall it. But he would never do anything to physically harm another person and vigorously denies any such claim,” a mayoral spokesperson said.
The summons was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which passed last year, creating a temporary window for victims of historic sexual assault to sue their alleged abusers past the state’s usual deadlines.
The law has led to more than 2,500 lawsuits being brought against alleged abusers, including cases against former president Donald Trump, hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and the comedian and actor Russell Brand.
The suit against Mr Adams comes amid an FBI investigation into his 2021 campaign, which prompted agents to seize his cellphones and raid the home of his chief campaign fundraiser.
The FBI is investigating whether Mr Adams inappropriately tried to help the government of Turkey get city approval to open a 35-story skyscraper housing diplomatic facilities in 2021, despite concerns about the tower’s fire safety systems.
Mr Adams has admitted lobbying the former FDNY commissioner over safety delays to the opening of a new Turkish consulate in New York in 2021, but has denied he all wrongdoing.
