N.Y. Mayoral Candidate"s Libel Claim Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Scott Stringer, a prominent political figure in New York, has initiated a libel lawsuit against a defendant who accused him of sexual assault during his campaign for mayor in 2021. The allegations, which include claims of groping and non-consensual actions, were made public during a press conference on April 28, 2021, and were subsequently repeated by Congresswoman Maloney in August 2022. Stringer contends that these statements were false and intended to damage his political career, particularly after he declined to offer the defendant a position in his campaign. The New York trial court, presided over by Judge Richard Latin, ruled that Stringer had established a substantial basis for his defamation claim, allowing the case to proceed under New York's anti-SLAPP statute. This statute requires plaintiffs to demonstrate a significant foundation for their lawsuit, which Stringer successfully did by alleging actual malice on the part of the defendant. He claims that the timing of the allegations, coinciding with his campaign momentum, suggests a deliberate attempt to undermine his candidacy. The court also addressed the statute of limitations, which typically restricts the time frame for filing such claims. Stringer argued that the defamatory statements were republished when Congresswoman Maloney referenced them in a newspaper article, thus potentially resetting the limitations period. The court found sufficient proximity between the events to warrant further examination of this claim. As the case unfolds, it highlights the complexities of defamation law, particularly in the context of political campaigns, where allegations can have significant repercussions on candidates' careers. The outcome may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.