Lorna Beach-Mathura
Lorna Beach-Mathura

In November 2023, a significant legal action was initiated against New York City Mayor Eric Adams by a former colleague, Lorna Beach-Mathura. This lawsuit, filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act, alleges that Adams sexually assaulted Beach-Mathura in 1993 when both were associated with the New York City Transit Police. The case has garnered substantial media attention, raising questions about the backgrounds of both the accuser and the accused.

Who is Lorna Beach-Mathura?

Lorna Beach-Mathura, 68, began her career with the New York City Transit Police Department in 1980 as a Police Administrative Aide.

During her tenure, she reportedly faced challenges in career advancement, attributing the stagnation to systemic racism and sexism within the department.

In 1993, seeking assistance to overcome these professional hurdles, she approached Eric Adams, who was then a transit police officer and a prominent figure in the Guardians Association—a fraternal organization advocating for the rights of Black officers.

Bankruptcy Filing and Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit

On August 28, 2023, Lorna Beach-Mathura filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in her home state of Florida, citing nearly $333,000 in debt owed to various creditors. Records submitted in Southern Florida Bankruptcy Court indicate she owes $328,855 to more than a dozen entities, including banks and hospitals. Despite owning a home valued at approximately $380,000, she reported having no regular income, relying instead on $3,100 per month in retirement and Social Security benefits.

Just two weeks after her bankruptcy filing, on September 11, 2023, Beach-Mathura initiated a slip-and-fall lawsuit against New York City in Brooklyn Federal Court. The lawsuit claims she suffered a severe fall on October 22, 2023, while walking to Myosetsuji Temple in Flushing for a Buddhist ceremony. According to her account, she had just exited the Court Square subway station in Long Island City and was crossing a square dirt-covered area when she tripped.

“I started walking across, and all of a sudden I felt my right foot trip on something,” she stated under oath during an interview with city lawyers. “I stumbled, tried to steady myself, and then tripped again. The next thing I knew, I was falling hard onto the sidewalk.”

She alleges the fall caused “severe and permanent injuries” to multiple areas of her body, including her left wrist, hand, and elbow, as well as her right knee, neck, back, and chest. Photographs submitted with her lawsuit show a damaged sidewalk tree pit lined with displaced bricks, which she claims the city failed to maintain. She is seeking a judgment exceeding $75,000 for the injuries and damages sustained.

The city has rejected her claims, with a Law Department attorney arguing that Beach-Mathura “should have known” about the risks associated with walking in the area and that the city “owed no duty” to her. The court has asked for a status update on the case by January 31, 2025.

Assault Allegations Against Mayor Adams

Mayor Eric Adams
Mayor Eric Adams

Beach-Mathura’s sexual assault lawsuit against Mayor Adams emerged in November 2023 when she filed a notice of claim under New York's Adult Survivors Act. The act allows individuals to pursue civil claims for sexual offenses that occurred outside the statute of limitations. In March 2024, she formally filed the lawsuit, seeking $5 million in damages.

According to Beach-Mathura, the incident occurred in a parked car after Adams offered to drive her home following a discussion about her career challenges. She alleges Adams propositioned her for oral sex, and when she refused, he exposed himself, masturbated, and ejaculated on her leg. Adams has categorically denied the allegations, calling them “outrageous” and stating that he has no recollection of ever interacting with her.

Emails filed in court by Beach-Mathura’s attorney show she wrote about the alleged incident before Adams was elected mayor in 2021, which her legal team argues demonstrates the claim is not politically motivated.

Legal and Public Controversies

Beach-Mathura’s legal history reveals a pattern of unsuccessful lawsuits in recent years. In 2014, she filed a civil suit against American Airlines, alleging that an employee caused her to fall out of her wheelchair, resulting in injuries. That lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. Additionally, she has authored a self-help book offering guidance on how to file pro se lawsuits, suggesting she is familiar with legal processes and claims.

Her ongoing slip-and-fall case and bankruptcy filing have further complicated her public image. Critics have questioned her motives and credibility, pointing to her history of legal actions. On the other hand, supporters argue that her legal struggles do not invalidate her assault allegations and emphasize the importance of allowing survivors to seek justice through the Adult Survivors Act.

The Road Ahead

As of now, both the sexual assault and slip-and-fall lawsuits remain pending. The slip-and-fall case awaits updates from both parties in early 2025, while the sexual assault lawsuit has become a contentious legal and political issue. Mayor Adams’ legal team has sought to dismiss the claims, citing inconsistencies and lack of evidence. Meanwhile, Beach-Mathura continues to press forward with her case, seeking accountability for what she alleges occurred decades ago.

The outcomes of these cases will not only impact the individuals involved but may also influence broader conversations about public accountability, survivors’ rights, and the challenges of addressing historical allegations.

Legal Proceedings and Developments

The lawsuit was filed under the Adult Survivors Act, which allows individuals to bring forth civil claims for sexual offenses that occurred outside the usual statute of limitations. Since the filing, there have been several developments:

  • Denial of Allegations: Mayor Adams has categorically denied the accusations, stating through his legal representatives that he "fully denies these outrageous allegations and the events described."

  • Court Hearings: In August 2024, during a Manhattan Supreme Court hearing, Adams' lawyer, Alex Spiro, described the case as "fictitious" and expressed a desire to proceed to dismissal or trial. This characterization prompted a strong response from Beach-Mathura's attorney, Megan Goddard, who accused Spiro of "gaslighting" the court.

  • Missed Depositions: In September 2024, Adams' legal team filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, citing Beach-Mathura's failure to appear for scheduled depositions on multiple occasions. They argued that her repeated absences constituted misconduct warranting dismissal of the case.

  • Legal Representation Changes: In October 2024, Alex Spiro withdrew from representing Mayor Adams in the sexual assault lawsuit due to a conflict of interest, as he was also defending Adams in a separate federal corruption case. The court was expected to approve Spiro's withdrawal, necessitating new legal representation for Adams in the civil suit.

Public and Media Reaction

The allegations against Mayor Adams have elicited varied reactions from the public and media. Some view the lawsuit as a serious claim that warrants thorough investigation, while others perceive it as a politically motivated attack aimed at undermining the mayor's credibility. The case has also sparked discussions about the challenges survivors face when coming forward with allegations from decades past, as well as the implications of the Adult Survivors Act in providing a legal avenue for such claims.

Conclusion

The lawsuit filed by Lorna Beach-Mathura against Mayor Eric Adams remains a contentious and evolving legal matter. As proceedings continue, it underscores the complexities involved in addressing historical allegations of sexual misconduct, the legal mechanisms available for survivors seeking justice, and the broader societal implications of such high-profile cases.

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