By Adam Reiss and Corky Siemaszko -
NBC News
A Florida woman alleged in a lawsuit filed Monday in New York state court that in 1993 the city's mayor, Eric Adams, who was then her colleague in the city's Transit Police and a senior official of an organization of black police officers, demanded oral sex in exchange for helping her get a promotion.
Lorna Beach-Mathura, who was a civilian employee of the department, claimed in the lawsuit that when she refused,
Adams stripped naked and “forcefully pulled” her hand toward his groin
.
When she moved away from her, he continued to masturbate in front of her, she stated in the lawsuit.
Beach-Mathura is now seeking damages from Adams, the City of New York, the New York Transit Police, the NYPD Guardians Association and three other entities, according to the lawsuit filed in New York County Supreme Court.
The NYPD Guardians Association is a fraternal organization representing black members of the police force, including its civilian employees.
New York Mayor Eric Adams is pictured on Feb. 12, 2024. Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News via Getty Images file
Beach-Mathura stated in the lawsuit that she was “disgusted and outraged that a man who presented himself as a defender of justice and equality – a man who presented himself as a “guardian” of other black employees – would trap a black woman in his car in a secluded park and demanded sexual favors from her as a prerequisite to help her receive fair treatment at work.”
Adams denied the allegations.
“While we review the complaint, the mayor totally denies these scandalous accusations and the facts described herein;
We expect full vindication in the courts,” Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix, attorney for the city corporation, said in a statement.
“Furthermore, in 1993, Eric Adams was one of the most prominent public opponents of racism within the NYPD, so the lawsuit's allegations that he had any influence over the promotions of civilian employees are ridiculous.” .
In November, when Beach-Mathura first filed a lawsuit in the same court,
Adams said through a spokesman that he did not know her
.
[Trump is in legal and financial trouble as he cannot post a million-dollar bail]
“The mayor does not know who this person is,” said the spokesperson.
“If they ever met, he doesn't remember her.
“But he would never do anything to physically harm another person and strongly denies any such claims.”
Beach-Mathura was not identified by name in the legal subpoena, which was filed two days before the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Law.
The law gave adult survivors of sexual assault one year to sue, regardless of the date on which the crime became proscribed.
According to the lawsuit, Beach-Mathura is seeking $5 million in damages and claims she was a victim of sexual assault, injury, sex-based employment discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
“
He knew that filing this lawsuit would cause him serious personal problems
, but he did it because he believes that sex offenders should be held accountable, no matter who they are,” Beach-Mathura attorney Megan Goddard said Monday.
[Immigrant with his baby in his arms receives an electric shock after a confrontation with agents in a New York shelter]
In the lawsuit, Beach-Mathura goes into explicit detail about what she claims happened to Adams when he picked her up in his car after work in Manhattan and took her to a remote parking lot near the Hudson River.
Beach-Mathura said she found Adams “inspiring” and thought he could help her in his capacity as leader of the Guardians, to which she also belonged.
But, according to the lawsuit, Beach-Mathura became “nervous and scared” when she realized that Adams was not going to take her to his home in Coney Island, as she had agreed.
Once in the parking lot, Beach-Mathura alleged in the lawsuit, Adams claimed he believed he could help her, but also told her he “needed help” before making a lewd gesture.
“While repeatedly cajoling, demanding, and begging Plaintiff to perform oral sex on him, Defendant Adams unzipped his pants,” the lawsuit stated.
Beach-Mathura alleged in the lawsuit that she continued to resist but “was frightened not only by defendant Adams' egregious conduct, but also because she knew that he, as a police officer, had at least one loaded handgun in the car.”
Following the alleged incident, Beach-Mathura “turned to the Guardians for help” to get a promotion, but never received any support from the organization or Adams.
She left New York in 1994 and
now works as a public school teacher in Florida
.
[New York City will not allow adult immigrants to stay in shelters for more than 30 days]
Beach-Mathura claimed in the lawsuit that, over the years, she told “numerous people” about the alleged assault, including current and former police and traffic office workers, and her daughters when they were older, but who never formally reported the incident for fear of retaliation from Adams and the Guardians.
The police department and the Guardians did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In addition to the lawsuit against Adams, New York's Adult Survivors Act
has led to lawsuits against other well-known figures
such as former President Donald Trump and hip-hop star Sean
Diddy
Combs.
Last May, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation against E. Jean Carroll in a civil trial.
He was ordered to pay $5 million in damages.
Then this month, he was fined an additional $83.3 million in damages for continuing to defame Carroll.
Combs settled a lawsuit filed by singer Cassie in which she accused him of rape and abuse.
Both have denied committing the crimes.