The lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court alleges that Mayor Eric Adams ignored the inappropriate behavior of one of his top aides, Tim Pearson, who was accused of harassment and sexual misconduct. The lawsuit claims that NYPD Chief Militiadis Marmara was removed from his position after reporting Pearson’s behavior at a secretive agency that aimed to improve city bureaucracy. Pearson allegedly tried to sabotage Marmara’s career after he reported the harassment to the mayor’s brother, Bernard Adams, who dismissed the behavior as simply “Tim being Tim.” Despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Pearson, including previous lawsuits, he continued to receive a high salary from taxpayer funds and was not held accountable by the Adams administration.
Marmara accused the Adams administration of ignoring Pearson’s behavior and allowing him to maintain his high-paying job despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. The lawsuit describes a pattern of retaliation against those who reported Pearson’s behavior, including Marmara, whose career was negatively impacted after reporting the harassment. Pearson has faced multiple lawsuits in the past year accusing him of sexual misconduct, with the lawsuit claiming that he has been shielded from repercussions by those in city government who turned a blind eye to his actions.
The lawsuit details a history of allegations against Pearson, including claims from a Queens pastor who accused him of manipulating her into a sexual relationship and then having her arrested for allegedly slashing his car tires. Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly reportedly halted Pearson’s career due to similar allegations, including an incident where Pearson received oral sex at Police Department headquarters. The lawsuit also alleges that Pearson once claimed to have control over sexual relationships in Brooklyn’s 88th Precinct, referring to it as “his hen house,” suggesting a long-standing pattern of inappropriate behavior.
Despite the mounting allegations against Pearson, Mayor Adams and city officials have not directly addressed the lawsuit or taken action against Pearson. Adams referred to Pearson as “well respected in the law enforcement community,” while city lawyers stated that they would let the legal process run its course without commenting on the specific allegations. The lawsuit highlights a culture of enabling and protecting those accused of misconduct within city government, with high-ranking officials allegedly aware of Pearson’s behavior but failing to take action.
The lawsuit accuses not only Pearson but also other NYPD officials, including Chief Of Patrol John Chell and Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey, of being complicit in the retaliation against those who reported Pearson’s behavior. The lawsuit describes a toxic work environment where those who spoke out against Pearson faced negative consequences, such as demotions and undesirable assignments. The allegations in the lawsuit raise questions about accountability and transparency within the Adams administration, as well as the broader issue of addressing sexual misconduct and harassment in the workplace.
Overall, the lawsuit paints a damning picture of a culture of sexual harassment and misconduct within the NYPD and city government, with Mayor Adams and other officials allegedly turning a blind eye to the inappropriate behavior of a top aide. The lawsuit details a pattern of retaliation against those who reported the misconduct, as well as a history of similar allegations against Pearson that were allegedly ignored. The case raises concerns about accountability, transparency, and the protection of whistleblowers within city government, as well as the broader issue of addressing sexual misconduct in the workplace.
