Three security guards are suing the city and former advisor Tim Pearson for attacking them at a migrant shelter when they asked for his identification. Pearson allegedly physically assaulted the guards, leading to their arrest and subsequent dropping of charges. The guards are seeking damages for the abuse they endured. Pearson, a close advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, has faced multiple lawsuits for sexual harassment and corruption allegations, prompting his resignation. The city is covering Pearson’s legal fees for civil cases, while a federal investigation may be underway regarding city contracting.
In a recent development, three security guards at a migrant shelter in midtown are suing the city and former advisor to Mayor Eric Adams, Tim Pearson, for an alleged attack that took place last fall at the shelter entrance. The guards claim that Pearson physically assaulted them when asked to show identification, with one guard being thrown to the ground and others being shoved. The lawsuit was filed in State Supreme Court and accuses Pearson of verbal and physical abuse, false arrest, and false imprisonment.
The incident, initially reported by The New York Post and the New York Daily News, involved Pearson allegedly attacking the guards after they requested his identification. Although police sources initially stated that the guards had exceeded their authority, eyewitness testimony from shelter workers contradicted this claim, stating that Pearson was the aggressor in the altercation. The guards, Leesha Bell, Terrance Rosenthal, and Angelica Weldon, were later arrested but had the criminal charges against them dropped by the Manhattan District Attorney.
The guards are now seeking monetary damages for the distress caused by the incident. Their attorney, Jason Steinberger, has criticized the city and Mayor Adams for allowing Pearson to remain in his position despite previous allegations of misconduct. Pearson, a close advisor to Adams, resigned amidst a series of high-profile resignations following federal investigators seizing the phones and raiding the homes of top Adams officials. Adams himself was indicted on federal corruption charges, prompting calls for him to remove problematic individuals like Pearson from his inner circle.
Prior to this lawsuit, Pearson was already facing four sexual harassment lawsuits filed by police officers under his command at the Municipal Services Assessment. These lawsuits allege that Pearson harassed a female officer and retaliated against her and others when they attempted to report the abuse. Additionally, Pearson is accused of discussing kickbacks from city contracts related to migrant shelters, leading to him being nicknamed “Crumbs” among colleagues.
The city is reportedly covering Pearson’s legal fees for the civil cases against him, while he has hired a private attorney for the federal inquiry. The nature of the federal investigation is not yet clear but may involve city contracting, as investigators seized documents and cash from Pearson’s home. The ongoing legal battles and controversies surrounding Pearson highlight the challenges faced by the city administration and Mayor Adams’ inner circle.
Source: TheCity.NYC
