SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Seattle attorney says Mayor Murray obviously taking ‘bombshell’ of a lawsuit seriously

Apr 8, 2017, 7:00 AM | Updated: Apr 10, 2017, 12:09 pm

rape, Seattle mayor, Ed Murray, Mayor Murray...

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray faces allegations that he raped a 15-year-old boy. (AP)

(AP)

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray is “obviously” taking the allegations of child rape seriously, high-profile Seattle attorney Anne Bremner told KIRO Radio’s Ron and Don.

RELATED: Seattle Mayor Ed Murray responds to rape allegations

On Thursday afternoon, The Seattle Times reported that a Kent man is suing Murray over claims that the mayor “raped and molested” him in the 1980s when he was 15 years old.

A private attorney representing Murray quickly issued a statement.

“The allegations are false,” said Bob Sulkin, a private attorney representing Mayor Murray. “He has not engaged in any inappropriate conduct with a minor. And I don’t think it is a coincidence that these allegations have occurred in the midst of a mayoral campaign. Think about it, for 30 years nothing is said. And all of a sudden an accuser comes — who apparently, as reported, has a long criminal record — and makes these allegations.”

Calling the allegations a “bombshell,” Bremner said it’s clear Murray is taking this seriously by how quickly he had an attorney deny the allegations. A new conference focusing on the Seattle police department was canceled after the news broke.

Bremner says it appears the mayor didn’t see this coming.

Listen to everything she had to say about the lawsuit.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk speaks to the media during a press conference i...

Associated Press

UN human rights chief says Israel must end occupation and house demolitions in Lebanon

BEIRUT (AP) — The United Nations’ human rights chief said Monday that Israel must end its occupation of large areas of southern Lebanon and halt the demolition of homes, days before Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to hold another round of direct talks. Volker Türk spoke to The Associated Press as he wrapped up […]

3 minutes ago

Associated Press

Republicans decry a new Democratic Socialists of America platform as Dem primaries split the party

NEW YORK (AP) — A new platform from a progressive group that’s notched several recent primary victories is becoming fodder for Republican attacks, as the GOP looks to frame Democrats as extremists and communists ahead of November’s midterm elections. Although the Democratic Socialists of America’s Workers Deserve More platform doesn’t necessarily line up exactly with […]

22 minutes ago

FILE - Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks during a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee...

Associated Press

McConnell remains in rehab and says he’ll miss key Kentucky political event

WASHINGTON (AP) — The office of Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., released an update on his health Monday, this time with a statement from the congressional Office of Attending Physician stating the senator has not yet been medically cleared to leave a rehabilitation facility where he is undergoing physical therapy. The update comes shortly before his […]

30 minutes ago

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters following a weekly policy luncheon a...

Associated Press

Trump demands Senate cancel August break until it passes voting bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday demanded that Senate Majority Leader John Thune cancel the chamber’s upcoming August break until senators pass a strict proof-of-citizenship voting bill, even as Republicans lack the votes to advance it. Trump has repeatedly urged Thune to scrap the legislative filibuster, which effectively sets a 60-vote threshold for […]

40 minutes ago

FILE - David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union California who was ...

Associated Press

Prosecutors move to drop charge against California labor leader arrested during immigration protest

Federal prosecutors have moved to dismiss a charge against a labor union leader who was arrested while protesting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in California. The U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles filed a motion Monday to dismiss its case against David Huerta, president of Service Employees International Union California, which has more than 750,000 […]

44 minutes ago

FILE - Former FBI Director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Cap...

Associated Press

Comey says seashells post was political speech – not a threat – as he presses to dismiss charges

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former FBI Director James Comey urged a judge on Monday to throw out federal charges against him, arguing that a photo of seashells arranged on a beach he posted on social media was not a call to violence against President Donald Trump but protected political speech. Comey’s lawyers argue the government cannot […]

54 minutes ago

Seattle attorney says Mayor Murray obviously taking ‘bombshell’ of a lawsuit seriously