SEATTLE — The former foster son of ex-Seattle Mayor Ed Murray filed a lawsuit Friday against the city and Murray, claiming Murray improperly used his office to defame him and other men who accused Murray of child-sexual abuse decades ago.
Jeff Simpson’s lawsuit also contends the City Council and other public officials negligently failed to investigate the allegations, and enabled Murray to stay in office for months to further slander his accusers and use city personnel and other resources to falsely deny their claims, The Seattle Times reported .
“These actions, enabling and watching future leaders of the community accept Mr. Murray’s endorsement, caused added emotional distress and humiliation to Jeff Simpson and childhood sex abuse victims everywhere,” according to the complaint, filed in King County Superior Court by Simpson’s attorney, Cheryl Snow.
Murray’s attorney Steve Fogg said in an emailed statement to the newspaper Friday that Murray denies the allegations and is looking forward to a trial.