Seattle Mayor Ed Murray resigns after fifth child sex-abuse allegation

[icymist]

Source: Seattle Times

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray resigned Tuesday, just hours after new allegations that he sexually abused a younger cousin decades ago in New York.

Murray, a former Democratic state legislator elected mayor in 2013, said in a statement that he is resigning effective 5 p.m. Wednesday.

“While the allegations against me are not true, it is important that my personal issues do not affect the ability of our City government to conduct the public’s business,” Murray said in a statement.

City Councilmember Bruce Harrell will become mayor and will decide within five days whether to fill out the remainder of the term, the statement says.

Read more: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-mayor-ed-murray-resigns-after-fifth-child-sex-abuse-allegation/

[icymist]

1. (Related story) Mayor Ed Murrays cousin: He sexually abused me, too

younger cousin of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has become the fifth man to accuse the mayor of sexual abuse, saying Murray repeatedly molested him as a teenager in the 1970s.

Murray announced his resignation Tuesday in the wake of the new allegations.

Joseph Dyer, 54, a dialysis technician and Air Force veteran, says he was 13 when Murray forced him into sex for about a year while the two shared a bedroom in Dyer’s mother’s home in the Long Island town of Medford, New York.

“There would be times when I would fake sleeping because I didn’t want him touching me,” Dyer, a married father who now lives in another state, recalled during an interview with The Seattle Times.

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/mayor-ed-murrays-cousin-he-sexually-abused-me-too/

[left-of-center2012]

2. So, these are decades old accusations?

Well, sad. Very sad.
For all involved.

[pnwmom]

3. Yes, but this latest was the deal breaker. A cousin, 13 at the time, and his mother.

And they said he only left because he lost his job at a group home after similar allegations.

[icymist]

4. Apparently so.

I'm not sure what to make of all this.

[pnwmom]

7. I think we have to treat it the same way as anyone else who was the object of so many

accusations, including two accusers from his own family.

[JonLP24]

8. Yep.

Especially since these kind of things can leave people traumatized to the point where they don't say anything then the statue of limitations expire. They really need to extend them like they do with murder.

[NWCorona]

10. I didn't think this story could get any crazier either. He should have resigned long ago

[Major Nikon]

6. Hard to feel sad for Murray

He preyed on children, including his foster child. He should have gone to prison, yet instead the worst thing that happens to him is he loses his job at Social Security age. I just don't see that as all that commensurate to the damage he inflicted on his victims.

[WinkyDink]

9. I concur.

[jmowreader]

5. There's a minor side effect here, which I hate

Those assholes in the Trump Party are going to use this to claim all Democrats are pedophiles. You just watch.

It is very simple, kids: If you decide to become a Democrat, you have GOT to keep your dick in your pants. Sexual misconduct is for Republicans.