Exclusively | Sexual assault victims criticize New York City Council speaker for blocking bill allowing more lawsuits –

Sexual assault survivors and advocates They criticize City Council President Adrian Adams To prevent a “rollback” bill that would give more victims the ability to file a lawsuit — including against Jeffrey Epstein’s estate.

Jesse Campoamor, a lobbyist who works with a firm representing dozens of plaintiffs against the city, said he couldn’t recall a bill with this level of council support having difficulty getting to the floor and getting a vote.

He pointed out that the issue could be limited to mere petty politics.

“I usually avoid speculation, but there has been talk that some of the ongoing tension since the last mayoral race may have had an impact, and that the speaker was disappointed that the bill’s author (Queens Assemblywoman Sylvina Brooks Powers) endorsed (former Gov. Andrew) Cuomo over her despite a long-standing mentor-mentee relationship,” Campoamor told The Post.

“If that was a factor, it would be very disheartening, given what is at stake for the survivors,” he said.

The bill aims to give victims a year starting in March 2026 to sue the city and institutions that helped facilitate their assault, regardless of when the incidents occurred.

The city’s statute of limitations on such claims is now nine years after the reported incident.

The proposed legislation would cover claims against city workers such as prisons and institutions including the Mount Sinai Hospital System, which He was prosecuted for a cover-up Assault on 19 patients

The bill would also allow victims of notorious late sex man Jeffrey Epstein to sue his estate.

“If they don’t allow a vote and they don’t approve this bill, they are literally protecting Jeffrey Epstein,” said Jordan Merson, the attorney representing him. About 40 Epstein victimsHe said of the bill’s enemies.

“They can either stand with Jeffrey Epstein and protect him, or stand with Jeffrey Epstein’s victims and let them try to get justice,” he said.

The bill has languished in the Assembly since its introduction in May and only received its first hearing this month.

“We are literally talking about the legal rights of hundreds of survivors of sexual violence in New York City that will either be protected if the City Council acts immediately or will likely be lost forever,” said Jerome Block, an attorney who represents hundreds of abuse accusers suing the city over decades-long allegations in juvenile detention.

The Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget expects the fiscal impact of the bill to reach $1 billion.

But Block said. “Our leaders must understand that delay is a disservice” to survivors seeking justice.
The bill’s advocates and other sources told The Washington Post that the speaker’s office had put them on hold for weeks, either by not responding or offering shifting explanations for why the bill had not come up for a vote.

Khaled Melvin, one of hundreds of people trying to sue the city over alleged abuses in juvenile detention, said the bill’s frustration is frustrating.

“It’s not fair,” said Melvin, 47, who alleged he was repeatedly abused for years starting at age 14 when he was at the Spofford Juvenile Detention Center in the Bronx.

Neither Adams nor Brooks Powers responded to the Post’s requests for comment.

But a representative for Adams said the idea that the speaker is acting on petty politics is ridiculous.

“The person making these irresponsible allegations lacks credibility, because he was an ardent political promoter for a serial sexual predator to become mayor,” the actor said, referring to Campoamor, who worked for the former governor. Andrew Cuomo, now a candidate for mayor of New York.

Cuomo has denied a large number of sexual accusations against him.

“Since its introduction in May, (the bill) has continued to move through the legislative process,” a City Council representative added.

“It received an in-committee hearing earlier this month, a routine next step that allows the bill to be reviewed and subjected to public testimony earlier before it can move forward. Now, it has advanced to the critical step of negotiating with the Mayor’s Department and stakeholders that precedes its passage consideration.

“Survivors of gender-based violence deserve accountability, and this bill is implemented through steps that apply to all legislation in progress. It is unfortunate that anyone would mischaracterize the legislative process and distort public understanding by making false and meaningless political claims.

“The Council understands the importance of this bill to survivors and is continuing its work to advance it through the well-established legislative process.”