MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Mayor Murray acknowledges connection to accuser

Apr 18, 2017, 6:13 PM | Updated: 8:36 pm

Murray...

Jeff Simpson has accused Seattle Mayor Ed Murray of sexual abuse while he was a minor in the 1980s. (KIRO 7, AP)

(KIRO 7, AP)

As allegations of sexual abuse continue to surround Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, he admitted Tuesday that he does have a connection with one of his accusers.

“I was his legal guardian for just under two years,” Murray told KIRO 7 Tuesday, referring to Jeff Simpson.

RELATED: Murray accuser says “Ed is not evil … Ed is sick”

Simpson is one of two Portland men who have accused the Seattle mayor of sexual abuse while they were minors in the 1980s. Recently, a third man has made similar accusations in a lawsuit — a Kent man referred to as D.H. in court documents. The mayor has denied the allegations.

Recently, KIRO 7 obtained documents from the State of Oregon that confirms Simpson was under the foster care of Ed Murray in 1982 at a Portland address.

“DHS gave him custody of me, and to become my foster father,” Simpson told KIRO 7. “But the abuse started at age 13; he raped me for the first time at age 13. When I was living with him, it would be almost every night.”

Simpson has previously detailed how the abuse began after he met Murray while living at an orphanage. Murray was a volunteer at the time. According to Simpson, the two developed a relationship and Simpson often went to his apartment for dinners and movies.

Now, however, Simpson is speaking out about the alleged abuse. He stresses that he is not asking for anything other than for the mayor to admit what he did.

“I need closure,” Simpson said. “Your victims need closure so they can heal.”

MyNorthwest News

Sound Transit budget deficit delays...

Chris Sullivan

Sound Transit looks to double cost of property acquisition, construction support services for West Seattle expansion

Sound Transit said it needs another $765 million to acquire property and prepare for the link extension to West Seattle, but the overall budget won't change.

12 minutes ago

cold case Pinnacle Lake homicide...

James Lynch

Cold Case Project: 20 years later, family still seeks answers in Pinnacle Lake double homicide

After 20 years, family of Pinnacle Lake homicide victims still hopes for justice in the tragic killings along a remote hiking trail.

13 minutes ago

seattle shots fired...

MyNorthwest Staff

3 in custody after Seattle officers shot at

Three people are in custody after shots were fired at Seattle officers.

11 hours ago

rabid bat hair Olympic national park...

Frank Lenzi

Rabid bat gets caught in woman’s hair at Olympic National Park

A rabid bat swooped down and got caught in a woman's hair at Olympic National Park near Staircase Bridge on Sunday afternoon around 2 p.m.

12 hours ago

drive-by shooting...

James Lynch

WSP arrests suspect in last month’s drive-by shooting on SR 900

Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers have arrested a suspect in connection with an early-morning drive-by shooting on SR 900.

12 hours ago

Flock cameras...

Tyrah Majors, KIRO 7 News

Renton City Council votes to cover Flock cameras after pausing their use

The City of Renton is moving to physically cover all 24 of its Flock automatic license plate recognition cameras.

13 hours ago

Mayor Murray acknowledges connection to accuser