Trending Now - NYC Administration Moves to Withdraw Defense for Ex-mayor Adams
WHO:
Eric Adams, the former mayor, stated he “remains confident that the facts will ultimately prevail” regarding the allegations against him.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Former Mayor Eric Adams
Lorna Beach-Mathura, the alleged victim
Todd Shapiro, spokesperson for Adams
Dora Pekec, spokesperson for Mamdani
WHAT:
The lawsuit against Adams alleges he demanded a sexual favor in exchange for help in advancing Lorna Beach-Mathura's career in the police department.
The city’s corporation counsel described the allegations at the time of the filings as “ludicrous” and expressed expectations for "full vindication in court."
Mamdani's administration wants to stop representing Adams in a lawsuit alleging sexual assault.
The lawsuit claims Adams sexually assaulted Beach-Mathura in 1993.
The city’s law department will no longer pay for legal representation for two close allies of Adams in separate matters.
The case against Adams was brought under the Adult Survivors Act.
WHERE:
New York City
WHEN:
The lawsuit was filed while Adams was still in office, specifically in November 2023.
The court filing occurred on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026.
The lawsuit was filed in November 2023.
Mamdani took office in January 2026.
Adams withdrew from the Democratic primary in 2025.
WHY:
The city argues that Adams is not entitled to city-funded legal support because he was “not acting within the scope of his City employment” at the time of the alleged assault.
The city argues Adams is not entitled to city-funded legal support because he was “not acting within the scope of his City employment” at the time of the alleged assault.
Mamdani's spokesperson stated the decision was made independently by the Corporation Counsel as required by law.
HOW:
The request to withdraw from Adams’ case was made independently by the Corporation Counsel, as required by law.
The lawsuit was filed under the Adult Survivors Act, which extended the time limit to bring sexual assault lawsuits.
(UPDATED March 18, 2026 05:31 UTC)
Eric Adams stated he remains confident that the facts will ultimately prevail regarding the allegations against him, which include claims that he demanded a sexual favor in exchange for helping Lorna Beach-Mathura advance her career in the police department. The lawsuit was filed in November 2023 while Adams was still in office, and the city’s corporation counsel has described the allegations as ludicrous, expecting full vindication in court. Additionally, the city argues that Adams is not entitled to city-funded legal support because he was not acting within the scope of his City employment at the time of the alleged incident, leading to a request to withdraw from his case made independently by the Corporation Counsel.
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(UPDATED March 18, 2026 01:34 UTC)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration has decided to stop representing former Mayor Eric Adams in a lawsuit alleging that he sexually assaulted Lorna Beach-Mathura back in 1993. This decision, made by the Corporation Counsel, argues that Adams is not entitled to city-funded legal support because he was not acting within the scope of his City employment at the time of the alleged incident. The lawsuit, which was filed under the Adult Survivors Act in November 2023, has prompted the city’s law department to also withdraw legal representation for two of Adams' close allies in separate matters.