Scott Stringer Accused Of Sexual Harassment, Groping

NEW YORK CITY — Scott Stringer, the city's comptroller and a prominent mayoral candidate, faces accusations of sexual harassment and groping from a former campaign worker.

The woman — Jean Kim, a lobbyist — came forward with a detailed account first reported in Gothamist.

Kim later publicly recounted them in a Wednesday news conference in front of Stringer's office. She said she worked as an intern during Stringer's 2001 campaign when kissed her and repeatedly groped her by putting his hands between her thighs and between her legs.

"He kept saying, 'Why won't you f--- me? Why won't you f--- me?'" she said at the news conference.

Stringer issued a statement denying the accusation after they arose Tuesday evening.

"I firmly believe that all survivors of harassment have the right to come forward," Stringer said in the statement. "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."

Stringer later responded to Kim's accusations in a news conference of his own streamed on Twitter. He denied Kim was an intern and said he had a consensual relationship with her.

But the accusations prompted a wave of calls for Stringer to resign and drop out of the mayor's race.

Besides Kim and her attorney Patricia Pastor, mayoral candidate Kathryn Garcia and Maya Wiley quickly issued statements calling for Stringer to drop out or else account for the accusations..

I stand with Jean Kim and commend her bravery in coming forward. We must take these allegations seriously. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/IeJHs0L1gW
— Kathryn Garcia (@KGforNYC) April 28, 2021

Likewise, mayoral candidate Dianne Morales issued a statement in support of Kim.

"I stand with and support Jean Kim," Morales said.