Court filing reveals a 12-year-old sexual assault claim in the Tim Pearson lawsuit.

A recent court filing has reignited a longstanding controversy involving Tim Pearson, a former senior adviser to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who has been accused of sexual assault dating back to 2013. The allegations stem from an incident at a hotel in Nassau County and have resurfaced amid a separate lawsuit against Pearson filed by a retired NYPD sergeant.

The original complaint, lodged nearly a decade ago, did not lead to any criminal charges against Pearson. According to internal records from the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB), a detective classified the interaction as “rough” consensual sex rather than rape, suggesting it stemmed from a difficult breakup. The investigation was closed because Pearson was not an active member of the NYPD at the time the allegations surfaced.

As the recent court documents emerged, concerns were raised regarding the vetting process conducted by Adams’s administration before appointing Pearson as a senior adviser in January 2022. The position carried significant influence over the NYPD and various city agencies.

The allegations contained in the new filings were part of an unrelated lawsuit brought against Pearson by Roxanne Ludemann, who alleges that Pearson groped her and retaliated against her using his position within the department. The city’s lawyers, along with those representing Pearson, have denied the claims, asserting that the accusations are stale and lack substantial supporting evidence.

Ludemann’s attorney argued that the IAB’s findings reveal that rape allegations made against Pearson were known to high-ranking officials, yet were disregarded. This has cast doubt on the thoroughness of the background investigation into Pearson prior to his appointment.

The woman at the heart of the 2013 allegations has chosen to remain anonymous, citing privacy concerns. She expressed dissatisfaction with how her complaint was handled by both the NYPD and local authorities, stating that she felt her claims were not taken seriously. Furthermore, she revealed her frustration that her case has become entangled in public legal disputes without her consent, undermining her privacy.

The narrative within the IAB report indicates that the woman promptly informed former Chief of Department Philip Banks—now a deputy mayor under Adams—shortly after the alleged incident. However, she claims that her case did not progress due to a lack of immediate action and intimidation tactics she faced from Pearson, who had retired from the NYPD.

In light of these events, the city has confirmed receipt of notices of claims filed by the woman against Pearson, Adams, and Banks. While Pearson previously worked at Resorts World Casino when the alleged incident occurred, he now faces legal challenges that jeopardize his reputation and the integrity of the mayor’s office.

As the situation continues to unfold, it raises critical questions about the accountability of city officials regarding the appointment of individuals with past allegations of misconduct, and the broader implications for the Mayor’s administration.