NYC Mayor Eric Adams accused of sexually assaulting colleague in 1993, new lawsuit claims

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A Florida woman has accused New York City Mayor Eric Adams of sexually assaulting her in 1993, as outlined in a complaint filed Monday.

The lawsuit was filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act which opened a year-long window for sexual assault survivors to file claims after the legal deadline had passed. That window closed in November 2023, days after this lawsuit was first filed with few details.

The most recent complaint alleges Adams told the woman he would help her get a promotion, but requested oral sex from her in a quid pro quo proposition while they were parked in a vacant lot. He then forced her to touch his genitals and continued to masturbate to completion while they were in the car together, the lawsuit alleges.

In response to the lawsuit, the mayor's office provided the following statement: “While we review the complaint, the mayor fully denies these outrageous allegations and the events described here; we expect full vindication in court," said New York City Corporation Counsel Hon. Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix.

"The effects of that sexual assault, betrayal, and astonishing abuse of power continue to haunt the plaintiff to this day," the lawsuit says. USA TODAY does not name people who say they have been sexually assaulted without their permission. The plaintiff's lawyers did not immediately respond to an interview request.

Adult Survivors Act: Why so many sexual assault lawsuits have been filed under New York law

Lawsuit alleges Adams propositioned plaintiff in quid pro quo sexual assault

In the years leading up to the incident, the plaintiff experienced sexism and racism working as a Black woman in New York City transit policing, the complaint states. During her employment, she became a member of the Guardians Association, a fraternal organization within the NYPD that represents African American members.

She was passed over several times for promotions, she said. So she turned to Adams, a fellow Guardian member, for help.

Adams told her they could talk about it in the car while he drove her home, but instead, they drove to an empty lot away from the street, the complaint states.

She then recounted to him the problems she was having getting a promotion. The lawsuit states that Adams said he could help, but, "he 'also needed some help'." He then tried to convince the plaintiff to perform oral sex and exposed himself, the woman alleged.

NYPD Transit Bureau and Guardians Association also named in lawsuit

The November filing shows she is seeking $5 million in damages.

The complaint shows she believes the incident led to her being laid off and moving to Florida. She said she did not report it at the time out of fear of retaliation, however, she did tell other employees and her daughters in the years since the incident, according to the filing.

The Transit Bureau of the New York Police Department and the New York Police Department Guardians were also named as defendants in the lawsuit. They have been accused of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation. NYPD and the Guardians Association did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

"In 1993, Eric Adams was one of the most prominent public opponents of the racism within the NYPD, which is why the lawsuit’s allegations that he had any sway over promotions of civilian employees is ludicrous." Hinds-Radix statement on behalf of the mayor said.

"(The) plaintiff was sickened and outraged that a man who presented himself as an advocate for justice and equality—a man who held himself out to be a 'Guardian' of other Black employees—would trap a Black woman in his car in a remote lot and demand sexual favors as a prerequisite to helping her obtain fair treatment at work," the lawsuit states.

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Eduardo Cuevas; USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York City Mayor Eric Adams accused of sexual assault in lawsuit