De Blasio calls for probe of Scott Stringer over sexual harassment claim
Embattled City Comptroller Scott Stringer struggled to keep his mayoral hopes alive Thursday as he conceded that more accusers might come forward, a major union pulled its support and Mayor Bill de Blasio called for a probe into the bombshell harassment allegations.
“I’m in this race all the way, I’m excited about running for mayor,” Stringer told reporters during a campaign stop in The Bronx. “I have no intention of going anywhere except to City Hall to rebuild this city.”
Stringer’s campaign took dramatic new steps late Thursday night to limit the damage of the scandal by attempting to undercut the credibility of his accuser, Jean Kim, the 49-year-old who charges that the longtime Manhattan politician repeatedly sexually harassed her during his failed 2001 campaign for Public Advocate. But, it was clear the scandal was already taking a major toll Stringer’s longtime dream of becoming mayor in the hours Kim went public with detailed allegations, including claims that he groped her and asked her ‘why won’t you f— me.’
The longtime Manhattan politician lost the support of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 — which represents an estimated 20,000 grocery store workers in the city and its suburbs — and of a lawmaker from Brooklyn, state Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-Brooklyn), who was backing Stringer as the number two on his ballot.
Those endorsements were rescinded hours after Stringer lost the backing of one of his earliest and most enthusiast boosters — Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Queens).
“Look, I have a lot of respect for them and I have a huge coalition of supporters,” said Stringer, attempting to downplay the losses of Ramos and Brisport. “Obviously some people may decide to go in a different direction. I mean, that’s fine with me.”
His campaign also cancelled a birthday-themed fundraiser set for Thursday night.
Meanwhile, Stringer acknowledged in a round of early morning television interviews that more women may come forward with allegations — though he reiterated that he did not believe it would happen.
“You know, I’ve dated,” the city comptroller told Fox 5’s “Good Day New York” when asked if he expected “any other women” to come forward.
“I don’t expect it. But, look, I didn’t expect this set of allegations,” the wannabe mayor, who turned 61 on Thursday, said of lobbyist Jean Kim’s allegations that he groped her multiple times in 2001.
“I obviously feel bad about it,” he said in a video interview with photos of his family on the wall behind him.
And earlier, Mayor Bill de Blasio called for an official probe of the sexual harassment allegations against city Comptroller and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer.
The mayor said Thursday that the results of an investigation by the state attorney general or city Department of Investigation should be completed before the June 22 Democratic mayoral primary.
“I want to see the results of an investigation before offering any other judgment,” said de Blasio, who stopped short of calling for Stringer to end his mayoral campaign.
He added: “People need answers. We stand ready to take whatever next step will get this resolved.”
However, a spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Investigation said the agency did not have jurisdiction.
And another one of Stringer’s opponents, Maya Wiley, called for Stringer to leave the Mayor’s race.
“We cannot afford to be distracted from making sure every New Yorker can pay the rent, live with dignity, and be safe from violence,” said the former top aide to Hizzoner in a tweet. “Scott Stringer should do the right thing and withdraw from this race.”
Wiley’s is the second major candidate to call for Stringer’s departure.
The first, former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, demanded Wednesday that he drop out.
– Additional reporting by David Meyer, Lee Brown and Natalie Musumeci
