The sexual assault case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams took a contentious turn on Friday, as his lawyer, Alex Spiro, called the allegations “fictitious” and firmly declared there would be no settlement. This statement quickly escalated tensions, with the plaintiff’s attorney, Megan Goddard, threatening a defamation lawsuit in response.
The accusations date back to the early 1990s when Adams was working in the NYPD’s Transit Bureau. Lorna Beach, a former colleague, claims that Adams sexually harassed her during that time. However, Adams has consistently denied both the allegations and any knowledge of Beach.
- Advertisement -
During a virtual hearing, Judge Richard Latin suggested that the case could be settled. However, Spiro shut down the idea, stating, “I don’t settle ‘fictitious’ cases.” Goddard, clearly outraged, fired back, calling Spiro’s comment “wild gaslighting” and hinted that it could lead to a defamation suit. “I will bring one against him for saying that,” she warned.
The hearing, initially intended to resolve disputes over evidence, instead highlighted the deep divisions between the two sides. The defense has accused Beach of delaying the case by failing to provide key information, including the identities of those she claimed to have told about the alleged assault, descriptions of her interactions with Adams, and the date of the incident. “Plaintiff has continued to exhibit a pattern of delay and obfuscation,” Spiro argued, suggesting that this behavior was intended to avoid a resolution on the merits.
Goddard defended her client, insisting, “We’re not trying to hide anything. My client does not know the exact date. I’m not going to pretend that she does.”
As the case moves forward, Judge Latin has scheduled a deposition for Beach on September 6, where she will be required to provide further details under oath.
