As New York law expires, US politicians and celebrities face sex-abuse suits – Times of India
A flurry of high-profile sexual-abuse lawsuits were filed in New York this week to beat the expiration of a state law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on civil abuse and harassment claims, no matter how old. The list of defendants includes New York mayor Eric Adams, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and rock legend Axl Rose, all of whom could face jury trials if the claims against them aren’t dismissed or settled.
The Adult Survivors Act, passed by New York lawmakers in the wake of the #MeToo movement, took effect November 24, 2022, and expired Thursday.”The Adult Survivors Act has enabled thousands of survivors to pursue justice that was previously unavailable to them,” said Susan Crumiller, whose firm has handled several ASA cases. “But the flood of last minute cases shows how desperately we need a reopened window. Many people are just learning about the Act.”
The first person sued under the law – former President Donald Trump – was held liable by a Manhattan jury in May for sexually abusing New York author E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and ordered to pay $5 million in damages, showing how the statute can be successfully used in court even when the claims are decades old.
Despite that early win, most cases under the law are in the early stages. A $5 million lawsuit filed Nov 22 by a woman who alleges she was assaulted by Democratic politician, and now the New York Mayor, Eric Adams in 1993, when they were both working for the City of New York. A two-page summons gives a bare-bones outline of the complaint, saying it alleges “sexual assault, battery and employment discrimination.”Adams denied the allegations.
A suit filed Nov 22 by Brittany Commisso, former executive assistant of Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor, accuses him of groping her breast and buttocks.
A suit filed on Thanksgiving Day alleges Sean “Diddy” Combs, music mogul, drugged and raped a Syracuse University student during a date in 1991.
The Adult Survivors Act, passed by New York lawmakers in the wake of the #MeToo movement, took effect November 24, 2022, and expired Thursday.”The Adult Survivors Act has enabled thousands of survivors to pursue justice that was previously unavailable to them,” said Susan Crumiller, whose firm has handled several ASA cases. “But the flood of last minute cases shows how desperately we need a reopened window. Many people are just learning about the Act.”
The first person sued under the law – former President Donald Trump – was held liable by a Manhattan jury in May for sexually abusing New York author E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and ordered to pay $5 million in damages, showing how the statute can be successfully used in court even when the claims are decades old.
Despite that early win, most cases under the law are in the early stages. A $5 million lawsuit filed Nov 22 by a woman who alleges she was assaulted by Democratic politician, and now the New York Mayor, Eric Adams in 1993, when they were both working for the City of New York. A two-page summons gives a bare-bones outline of the complaint, saying it alleges “sexual assault, battery and employment discrimination.”Adams denied the allegations.
A suit filed Nov 22 by Brittany Commisso, former executive assistant of Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor, accuses him of groping her breast and buttocks.
A suit filed on Thanksgiving Day alleges Sean “Diddy” Combs, music mogul, drugged and raped a Syracuse University student during a date in 1991.
