A New York City mayoral candidate accused of sexual assault said he had a “consensual” relationship with his accuser.
Scott Stringer, the city’s comptroller, denied the two-decade-old sexual assault allegations but said he had an “on-and-off” relationship with his accuser, Jean Kim.
“I believe it was a mutual, consensual relationship. I never used any force, made any threats, or did any of the things that are alleged,” he said during a press conference alongside his wife, adding that he and Kim “maintained an amicable relationship for many years afterwards, until 2013, when we could not find her a role on my campaign for comptroller.”
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The mayoral candidate added that his relationship with Kim preceded him meeting his wife, Elyse Buxbaum. Stringer, who is now 60, said Kim was 30 and he was 41 at the time of their relationship.
Earlier on Wednesday, Kim, who says she was an unpaid intern during Stringer’s bid for public advocate, said the mayoral hopeful “repeatedly groped” her, “put his hands on [her] thighs and between [her] legs,” and “demanded to know why [she] wouldn’t have sex with him.”
Stringer’s initial response to Kim’s allegations noted that he “firmly believes that all survivors of harassment have the right to come forward” while maintaining that the claims “aren’t true.”
Other candidates vying to become New York City’s mayor have weighed in on the controversy, with Dianne Morales calling it a “really unfortunate moment in this race.”
“As a survivor myself … we’ve all been triggered and really have spent the time since hearing the news checking in on each other. I think I’m still really processing. I’m not focused on Scott Stringer. I’m really focused on what this woman has to endure,” she said.
The state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, is also contending with allegations of sexual harassment by 10 women, and two investigations are underway, one of which is termed an “impeachment investigation” by the New York state Assembly. Cuomo has denied touching anyone inappropriately.
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Many Democratic mayoral candidates participated in a debate moderated by former Gov. David Paterson Wednesday evening. Stringer, along with several other candidates, including 2021 Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang, did not attend.
Several candidates are vying to replace outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio in the election. New Yorkers will vote for a new mayor on Nov. 2.
