Seattle mayor is accused of raping a crack-addicted teenager 3 decades ago

Updated

A 46-year-old Kent man accused Seattle Mayor Ed Murray of sexually abusing him when he was a teenager in the 1980s, and the mayor has denied it.

According to KCPQ, the man, "D.H." alleges that Murray assaulted him in 1986 when he was just 15 and Murray was 32.

Court documents released on Thursday reveal more of D.H.'s story.

"Mr. Murray propositioned D.H. in the form of sex acts for money –- a form of child prostitution," the documents say. "Addicted to drugs at the time, D.H. was willing do whatever Mr. Murray asked for as little as $10-20 dollars."

The mayor's private attorney, Robert Sulkin, refutes the claims.

"For 30 years, nothing is said. And all of a sudden an accuser comes and, apparently it's been reported, has a long criminal record and makes these allegations," he said.

The complaint reads, "Admittedly, D.H. was convicted of various charges that include an extensive drug addiction, and acts of prostitution in 1990 during unrelated sting operation."

D.H. told The Seattle Times he was addicted to crack cocaine in the 80s, but wanted to come forward about the allegations after getting clean and seeking counseling at Sound Mental Health.

The complaint states that D.H. is disturbed that Murray maintains a position of authority, and that the public has a right to know when a trusted official exploits a child.

Sulkin fired back against this.

"I don't think it's a coincidence that these allegations have occurred in the midst of a mayoral campaign," he said. "At the end of the day, we are going to defend this lawsuit, vigorously."

Two other men, Jeff Simpson and Lloyd Anderson, came forward in 2008 during Murray's first campaign alleging similar claims at the hends of Murray. Sulkin said the men were deemed not credible by law enforcement.

Though the statute of limitations for criminal charges have already passed, D.H. is pursuing "general damages" in a civil case to be proven at trial.

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