City Seeks To End Defense For Ex-Mayor Eric Adams
New York City's law department asked a judge to allow it to withdraw from defending former Mayor Eric Adams in a 1993 sexual-assault lawsuit filed after a November 2023 Adult Survivors Act claim.
ABC NewsMamdani administration wants to pull legal support for ex-mayor Adams in lawsuit
Associated PressMamdani administration wants to pull legal support for ex-NYC mayor Adams in sexual assault lawsuit
MS NOWNYC moves to quit defending Eric Adams in sexual assault suit
NBC NewsNew York City seeks to stop defending former Mayor Eric Adams in sex assault suit
Political WireMamdani Moves to End City’s Defense of Eric Adams
Overview
The city's Law Department filed to withdraw from representing former Mayor Eric Adams in a sexual-assault lawsuit, according to a court filing Tuesday.
The filing argues Adams was "not acting within the scope of his City employment" at the time of the alleged 1993 assault and thus not entitled to city-funded counsel.
Corporation Counsel Steven Banks said he reviewed new evidence and determined Adams is not entitled to representation by the City in this matter.
The suit, brought by Lorna Beach-Mathura under the Adult Survivors Act, alleges Adams sexually assaulted her in 1993 and notes she first entered a claim in November 2023.
If a judge approves the request to withdraw, Adams would have to secure his own lawyer and the court will decide the motion.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this as a politically charged story that highlights tensions between Mamdani and Adams by emphasizing past disputes and controversies. Editorial choices — loaded phrases like "bitter campaign season" and "no love lost," selective background on Adams' prior corruption case, and highlighting inflammatory campaign quotes (source content) — steer readers toward viewing the legal move as politically motivated.
FAQ
The Adult Survivors Act is a New York law that temporarily allowed adult survivors of sexual assault to file civil lawsuits beyond the usual statute of limitations, with claims needing to be filed by November 2023.
Lorna Beach-Mathura alleges that in 1993, Eric Adams exposed himself and demanded she perform a sex act on him in exchange for help with a workplace issue and promotion.
The City argues that Adams was not acting within the scope of his city employment during the alleged 1993 assault, so he is not entitled to city-funded legal representation.
Adams fully denies the allegations, stating he does not know the accuser and describing the claims as outrageous.
Adams would need to hire his own lawyer, and the court would then decide on the lawsuit.
