A woman has accused New York Mayor Eric Adams of sexual assault in a lawsuit seeking at least $5 million.
The accuser claims she was assaulted by Adams in 1993 "while they both worked for the City of New York".
The legal action was filed under New York state's Adult Survivors Act - just before the deadline on Friday.
The state law created a year-long window for survivors of sexual misconduct to bring lawsuits that would otherwise have been blocked under the statute of limitations.
The accuser claims she was assaulted by Adams in 1993 'while they both worked for the City of New York'
ReutersThe three-page summons states: “Plaintiff was sexually assaulted by Defendant Eric Adams in New York, New York in 1993 while they both worked for the City of New York."
It added that the alleged assault related to "intentional and negligent acts and omissions for physical, psychological, and other injuries suffered as a result of conduct that would constitute sexual offenses".
Adams was an NYPD officer at the time and the summons also names the department's transit bureau as a defendant.
The New York Mayor has rejected the claims, saying: "the accusation absolutely did not happen".
"I don't even recall who this person is, I never recall even meeting them," he told CBS.
"I've spent my life protecting people, I've spent my life giving back, and I'm going to continue to do that. There's a lot going on in the city, and I'm focused on making sure that it's done."
It comes as Adams also faces an investigation into the financing of his 2021 mayoral campaign.
Earlier this month FBI agents raided his apartment and seized three electronic devices, believed to be two iPhones and an iPad.
It comes as Adams also faces an investigation into the financing of his 2021 mayoral campaign
Reuters
On Thursday, Marist College polling director Lee Miringoff said: "This is certainly unwelcome information for Adams. He doesn’t need any more bad news given his declining poll numbers.
"It’s an unwelcome headline at a time when he doesn’t need it. He doesn’t have a reservoir of support to fall back on."
Sonia Ossorio, the New York City director of the National Organisation of Women, stressed that “we have to trust the court will give a fair hearing to the case.”
But “it’s not a welcome development,” she said. “This case adds to the issue the mayor is facing. We need the mayor to be laser-focused on issues important to New York City.”
