NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New York City mayoral candidate Scott Stringer again responded to an allegation of sexual misconduct during Wednesday night’s mayoral debate.
Early last month, Jean Kim accused Stringer of sexually harassing her in 2001 when he was running for public advocate, and while serving on the New York State Assembly.
“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 accused.
She also alleged that Stringer offered to get her a role as a Democratic district leader if she kept the alleged sexual misconduct a secret.
Stringer has repeatedly denied the allegations and described his relationship with Kim as a “mutual, consensual relationship.”
During Wednesday night’s mayoral debate, Stringer was again asked about the allegation, and said he believes in a woman’s right to tell her story, but again said the claims were false.
“I believe that women should be heard…and then facts kick in and what I've tried to say is there have been inconsistencies and I deny the allegations,” Stringer said. “It's up to the voters to look at the facts. There is a number of media outlets reporting more facts every day, including tonight in the intercept, and I ask people to judge the facts. This is something that happened 20 years ago, I do believe that Jean should be heard, I've said that on day one, I'll continue to say it. But, I also have to say that these allegations are false and there are inconsistencies.”
Since Kim has come forward with her story and filed a formal complaint with the New York Attorney General, Stringer has lost a number of key endorsements in the mayoral race.
Most recently, the largest Democratic political club on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the Four Freedoms Democratic Club, voted to rescind its endorsement of Stringer and instead back former New York City Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia.
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