New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the 1990s, according to a summons filed just before the expiration of a New York law that allows survivors to sue for sexual abuse regardless of the statute of limitations. Adams has denied the allegation, stating that it "did not happen."
The summons, filed in the Manhattan Supreme Court, does not provide details about the alleged assault and will be followed by a full complaint explaining the claims. Along with Adams, the New York City police department and the Guardian Association of the NYPD are also listed as defendants in the filing.
Megan Goddard, the accuser's attorney, expressed pride in her client for seeking justice under the Adult Survivors Act, which allows accusers to file lawsuits against alleged sexual abusers regardless of when the abuse occurred.
Adams vehemently denied the accusation, stating that he does not recall ever meeting the accuser and would never harm anyone to that magnitude.
This development comes as the New York Adult Survivors Act is set to expire. The law has prompted a wave of high-profile lawsuits, including against former President Donald Trump, producer Sean "Diddy" Combs, actor Jamie Foxx, and Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose.
In addition to the sexual assault allegation, Adams has recently made headlines as the FBI seized his electronic devices as part of an investigation into whether his mayoral campaign knowingly received illegal donations from Turkish nationals. Adams has maintained that he expects his staff to follow the law and cooperate with any investigation, stating that he has nothing to hide.