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

seattle police bodycam bite of seattle shooting...

MyNorthwest Staff

Teen suspect in Bite of Seattle shooting released to home detention

The 15-year-old suspect in the Bite of Seattle shooting was ordered released to electronic home detention Wednesday.

18 minutes ago

Seattle taco burglary...

MyNorthwest Staff

Seattle taqueria ‘completely cleaned out’ after three consecutive nights of burglaries

A Columbia City taqueria, Taco City, has been burglarized three nights in a row and "completely cleaned out" this week.

1 hour ago

burien gun drugs arrest...

MyNorthwest Staff

Driver clocked at 70 mph in Burien leads police to drugs, guns and two arrests

A traffic stop for speeding in Burien netted two arrests, the seizure of various drugs, and the recovery of two firearms on Tuesday morning.

2 hours ago

Ruston speeding tickets...

Michael Strite

Free ice cream for driving too fast? Ruston bar offers dessert promotion for speeding tickets

As traffic enforcement cameras go up around Pierce County, a Ruston bar is offering people who receive tickets a free brownie sundae or root beer float.

2 hours ago

tukwila locksmith scam...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Locksmith scam targeting businesses reported in Tukwila

The Tukwila Police Department said a locksmith scam that previously targeted other south King County cities earlier this year has been reported in Tukwila.

2 hours ago

seattle seniors grocery raise...

Charlie Harger

Harger: Seattle-area seniors are getting a raise. At the grocery store, it’s a pay cut

Seattle-area seniors are getting a pay raise while grocery costs rise, impacting their purchasing power.

3 hours ago

Mayor Murray acknowledges connection to accuser