New York City Mayor Eric Adams faces accusations of sexual assault dating back to 1993, as detailed in a legal summons filed on Wednesday. The three-page document, filed under the Adult Survivors Act, alleges that the plaintiff was sexually assaulted by Eric Adams in New York City while both were employed by the City of New York. The filing, which does not provide specific details of the alleged incident, names Adams, the transit bureau of the New York Police Department, and the New York Police Department Guardians Association as defendants.
Seeking a trial and $5 million in relief, the summons was submitted to the state Supreme Court in Manhattan. As of Thursday, the woman’s attorney had not responded to requests for comment.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson from City Hall issued a statement asserting that the mayor does not know the person making the accusation. The spokesperson emphasized that Adams, a Democrat and former New York City police officer, rising to the rank of captain before entering politics, does not recall meeting the individual. Adams vigorously denies any claim of physical harm, stating that he would never engage in such behavior.
The Adult Survivors Act, a special New York law, has facilitated a wave of lawsuits against prominent figures accused of sexual misconduct. This law, leading to over 2,500 lawsuits, has targeted individuals such as former President Donald Trump, hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, and comedian/actor Russell Brand.
The filing comes at a time when Adams is under scrutiny due to an FBI investigation into his 2021 campaign. Agents seized Adams’s phones and raided the home of his chief campaign fundraiser as part of the ongoing investigation. Reports suggest that the FBI is examining whether Adams inappropriately assisted the government of Turkey in obtaining city approval for a 35-story skyscraper housing diplomatic facilities in 2021, despite concerns about the tower’s fire safety systems.
While Adams has avoided addressing questions about the FBI investigation directly, he maintains his innocence, insisting that he has done nothing wrong.