NEW YORK, NY — A lawsuit filed in Manhattan, New York, accuses Mayor Eric Adams of sexually assaulting a former New York City employee in 1993. Lorna Beach-Mathura, the plaintiff, claims the incident occurred while both were employed by the municipal transit police bureau.
Beach-Mathura alleges that Adams, then a transit officer, assaulted her in his car after offering her a ride home to discuss career advancement. She had approached Adams, who was also a leader in the NYPD Guardians Association, for assistance with workplace challenges.
Adams has strongly denied the allegations through a statement from city lawyers. Beach-Mathura’s lawsuit details years of sexual harassment and discrimination she faced within the city transit bureau, including denied promotions.
The complaint describes an evening when Adams allegedly diverted the ride to a secluded lot, demanded sexual favors for career help, and assaulted her. Beach-Mathura contends this led to her transfer and eventual job loss as retaliation for rejecting Adams.
Filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, the lawsuit bypasses the statute of limitations for alleged sexual abuse cases. Beach-Mathura had signaled her intent to sue Adams in a previous court summons in November, to which Adams’ spokesperson denied any acquaintance with the accuser.
New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix reiterated Adams’ denial of the “outrageous allegations,” challenging the claim that Adams had influence over promotions in 1993. The NYPD Transit Bureau, the Guardians Association, and the city of New York are also named as defendants, with Beach-Mathura seeking unspecified damages.