NYC Mayor Seeks to End Legal Defense for Predecessor Adams in Sex Assault Case

New York City's current mayor wants to stop providing city-funded legal representation for former Mayor Eric Adams in a sexual assault lawsuit. The case stems from allegations dating back to 1993 when Adams was a police officer.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s legal team is seeking to end the city’s representation of former Mayor Eric Adams in a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault from over 30 years ago, court documents filed Tuesday reveal.

The decision comes several months into Mamdani’s tenure, after a contentious election cycle that saw both Democratic politicians exchange harsh criticisms of one another.

The lawsuit centers on accusations that Adams sexually assaulted Lorna Beach-Mathura in 1993 during his time as a police officer, with claims he requested sexual favors in return for career advancement assistance within the department. Adams has strongly disputed these allegations and stated he has no recollection of ever meeting Beach-Mathura.

Beach-Mathura has agreed to be publicly identified in connection with this case through her legal counsel.

Speaking on Adams’ behalf, spokesperson Todd Shapiro expressed confidence that “the facts will ultimately prevail.”

The city’s corporation counsel filed the withdrawal motion, contending that Adams should not receive taxpayer-funded legal defense because the alleged incident occurred outside “the scope of his City employment.”

A representative for Mamdani emphasized Tuesday that this decision originated “independently by the Corporation Counsel, as is required by law,” clarifying that the mayor neither directed the review nor influenced its outcome.

“Of course, Mayor Mamdani has full faith and confidence in the Corporation Counsel’s independent judgment and in his ability to reach the appropriate and just legal conclusions,” spokesperson Dora Pekec stated.

The relationship between Mamdani and Adams remains strained following their political battle.

Adams exited last year’s Democratic primary after facing federal corruption charges that were later dropped following unusual intervention by the Trump administration. He then pursued reelection as an independent candidate, portraying Mamdani as an elitist progressive disconnected from regular New Yorkers.

Mamdani countered by characterizing Adams as a compromised official whose close ties to the Trump administration undermined his capacity to lead the city effectively.

Though Adams ultimately abandoned his reelection bid and backed former Governor Andrew Cuomo, he intensified his criticism of Mamdani in an effort to derail the younger candidate’s campaign. Adams controversially suggested without elaboration that terrorist threats might increase under a Mamdani administration.

“New York can’t be Europe, folks,” Adams declared while endorsing Cuomo at a campaign rally. “I don’t know what is wrong with people. You see what’s playing out in other countries because of Islamic extremism,” he added, referencing recent terrorist incidents in Europe and Africa.

Mamdani decisively defeated Cuomo in November’s mayoral race, making history as the city’s first Muslim mayor and youngest leader in recent memory. Adams has continued criticizing his successor through social media since the election.

Beyond withdrawing from Adams’ defense, the city’s legal department has also ceased funding attorneys for two Adams associates in unrelated legal matters.

Beach-Mathura’s lawsuit was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, legislation that temporarily extended deadlines for sexual assault claims. She initially submitted her complaint in November 2023, shortly before the law expired, then filed the comprehensive lawsuit months later.

When the case was first brought, the city’s corporation counsel dismissed the accusations as “ludicrous” and anticipated “full vindication in court.”