groped her and made unwanted sexual advances when she was his intern in 2001. Photo credit Marla Diamond/WCBS 880
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- A woman has come forward to accuse New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Jean Kim detailed the accusations before dozens of reporters on Wednesday, outside the Municipal Building where Stringer works as city comptroller.
Kim is accusing Stringer of sexual harassment and misconduct, including unwanted kissing, groping and inappropriate touching. She claims the alleged misconduct occurred when she was working as an unpaid intern on his campaign for public advocate in 2001.
"Scott Stringer repeatedly groped me, put his hands on my thighs and between my legs and demanded to know why I wouldn't have sex with him," Kim said. "I became more and more uncomfortable with his advances and ultimately I moved across town to the East Side and left the Community Free Democratic Club and my surrogate family."
Women's rights attorney Patricia Pastor, who is representing Kim, said the two were not dating.
"She did not have a sexual, a consensual sexual relationship with him," Pastor said.
Kim also alleges that Stringer offered to get her a role as a Democratic district leader if she kept the alleged sexual misconduct a secret.
“It’s unfortunately all too common that women report having been touched sexually without consent, and often men who engage this way are in a position of power and influence over the woman,” Pastor said in a statement released Tuesday. “I have great respect for women who choose to say, ‘enough is enough.’"
Kim said she waited 20 years to come forward because she feared retaliation.
"I have never disclosed this before because I was always fearful of his vindictive nature and that he would retaliate against me and destroy my career in politics," Kim said.
Stringer denied the allegations and released a statement Tuesday night which read:
"I firmly believe that all survivors of harassment have the right to come forward. I will reserve further comment until this person has had the opportunity to share their story. For now, let me say without equivocation: these allegations are untrue and do not reflect my interactions with anyone, including any woman or member of my staff."
"This isn't me, I didn't do this," Stringer insisted at an afternoon press conference responding to the allegations.
Stringer said he met Kim in the late 1990s and that she supported and donated to his campaign, but told reporters that she was "absolutely not" an intern and never worked for him in any capacity.
He describes their relationship at the time as a light, on and off relationship that lasted a few months.
"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. We maintained an amicable relationship for many years afterwards until 2013 when we could not find her a role on my campaign for comptroller," Stringer said.
His wife of 11 years, Elyse Buxbaum, who revealed that she has been a victim of a previous sexual assault herself, is standing by her husband.
"If even a fraction of what Scott has been accused of is true, I would not stand by him. I am not that kind of doting wife. I would be the first person to walk away, but I know that with every fiber of my being, that isn't it."
The accusations come as Stringer, who has spent his entire adult life in politics, launches his first TV ad Wednesday, starting a new phase in the crowded June 22 primary that will likely decide who New York's next mayor will be.
Kim said she's tried hard to put this chapter of her life behind her.
"But I'm coming forward now because being forced to see him in my living room TV every day, pretending to be a champion for women's rights just sickens me," Kim said.
Kim and her supporters are calling on Stringer to resign and drop out of the race.
Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley issued a statement, calling the allegations "truly disturbing."
"Jean Kim, who was a junior member of his team at the time, has told a credible and disturbing story of unwanted sexual contact with a powerful man with power over her career," Wiley said. "I believe her and admire her strength and courage to come forward to tell her story."