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

los angeles news helicopter crash...

KIRO 7 News Staff

3 killed after television news helicopter crashes in Los Angeles

Three people were killed, and another was injured when a television news helicopter crashed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, authorities said.

35 minutes ago

sb i-5 semi-truck backup...

Jason Sutich

Semi-truck collision blocks 3 lanes on SB I-5 near Ship Canal Bridge, causing 3-mile backup

Three lanes are blocked along southbound I-5 near the Ship Canal Bridge after a collision involving a semi-truck.

45 minutes ago

kent park-and-ride shooting...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Man shot and killed at Metro Park-and-Ride in Kent

Kent police are looking for a person or people involved in a deadly shooting at a Metro bus stop Park-and-Ride on Tuesday evening.

1 hour ago

seattle education association ratify contract...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Seattle Education Association members ratify new contract

SEATTLE — The Seattle Education Association (SEA), a union representing 6,000 professionals in Seattle Public Schools, voted to ratify a tentative agreement with the school district.

11 hours ago

puffin...

Julie Berg, KIRO 7 News

Officials expand testing at Point Defiance Zoo following puffin deaths

Testing confirmed that a rare strain of avian Chlamydia abortus likely caused the deaths of three tufted puffins at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

13 hours ago

aurora avenue seattle viral video pimp war trafficking...

James Lynch

Man allegedly recruited woman into prostitution on Aurora Avenue while still in jail

A man accused of trafficking a young woman and forcing her into prostitution along Aurora Avenue is now facing multiple felony charges.

13 hours ago

Mayor Murray acknowledges connection to accuser