'It's Been A Difficult Week' Seattle Mayor Murray Says In New Statement

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle Mayor Ed Murray released a new statement Wednesday afternoon about a sex abuse lawsuit filed against him last week. In the statement, Murray admits it's been a "difficult week" for him and his family, and that he will continue to work as mayor. Last Thursday, a 46-year-old Kent man known as "D.H." filed suit against Murray, alleging that the mayor in 1986 paid D.H. for sex.

Even after the accusations - which include rape, and which Murray denies - private details about the mayor's body have been scrutinized in public this week. In the suit, D.H. alleges that Murray has a mole on his scrotum; on Tuesday, Murray was examined by a doctor for signs of such a mole, and he released the results of the exam publicly through his attorney.

Here's what Murray said about the past week:

"There are no two ways about it: It's been a difficult week.

"As I stated last week, the awful accusation made against me is painful to me and [my husband] Michael. It is also simply not true. I vigorously denied it when I was first made aware of it, and will continue to do so.

"Without offering any evidence, the accuser has described me in very specific and intimate detail, and his accusation depends on these descriptions being accurate. If this description is inaccurate, the accusation cannot be credible. Yesterday, I provided material evidence refuting the accusation. The accusation should be laid to rest."

Murray goes on to say that he will continue to run for reelection, and continue to work on issues ranging from homelessness to climate change.

But the bumpy week seemed to continue for Murray. On Wednesday morning, D.H.'s attorney, Lincoln Beauregard, asked to depose mayor on May 2. Meanwhile, Councilwoman Kshama Sawant broke from the rest of the City Council and released her own statement on the affair, although she didn't address the specifics of the allegations.

Also on Wednesday, the Seattle Times - the outlet that broke the news of D.H.'s lawsuit - published an editorial asking the Murray to step down; the editorial board is afraid that a vulnerable Ed Murray could open the doors for an even more progressive candidate to win election this year.

Image via City of Seattle