New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been accused of a sexual assault that allegedly took place in 1993, according to multiple court documents filed. The plaintiff, identified as Lorna Beach Mathura, alleges sexual assault, battery, employment discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit seeks no less than $5 million in damages, attorney's fees, and interest.
The legal filings name not only Adams but also the transit bureau of the New York Police Department and the New York Police Department Guardians Association as defendants. Three other entities, which have not been identified, are also listed as defendants in the lawsuit.
The summons were filed under the Adult Survivors Act, a special New York law that has cleared the way for a wave of lawsuits against individuals accused of sexual misconduct. This law is set to expire soon.
In response to the allegations, Mayor Adams has categorically denied the claims. A City Hall spokesperson stated that Adams is fully committed to due process and believes that these allegations will be proven false.
In addition to these allegations, Adams, a former police officer who took office in January 2022, is also facing an FBI investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign around ties to Turkey. The nature and details of this investigation are currently unclear.
The allegations against Adams come amid a flurry of last-minute suits filed under the soon-to-expire Adult Survivors Act. The law has been instrumental in bringing forth allegations against several high-profile individuals in recent times.