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New York City Seeks to Drop Legal Defense of Eric Adams in 1993 Assault Suit

The city's top lawyer cites new discovery in concluding the alleged conduct fell outside Adams' official duties.

Overview

  • The Law Department filed in Manhattan Supreme Court to withdraw from representing Adams, citing new evidence from paper discovery and the plaintiff’s deposition.
  • The filing argues Adams was not acting within the scope of city employment, reversing an earlier determination that had made him eligible for taxpayer-funded counsel.
  • A judge must approve the withdrawal, and if granted, Adams will have to retain private counsel for the case.
  • The lawsuit by former Transit Police employee Lorna Beach-Mathura, brought in 2024 under the Adult Survivors Act, alleges a 1993 sexual assault that Adams denies.
  • The move tracks recent decisions to end city-funded defenses for Timothy Pearson and Jeffrey Maddrey, and the mayor’s office says the corporation counsel acted independently.