One of former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray's foster sons and sexual abuse accusers is suing the City of Seattle and Murray for $1 million in damages, alleging negligence and defamation.
According to a new claim filed Wednesday, Jeff Simpson says the city failed to investigate his and at least three other men's claims that Murray sexually abused them in the 1980s.
"We’ll review the complaint and consider our potential next steps,” representatives from the City Attorney's Office said in a written statement.
Murray, who resigned in September after a fifth man accused him of sexual abuse, has maintained his innocence.
Simpson, 50, who lives in Oregon, said he met Murray when he was a 6-year-old orphan, living at what used to be the Parry Center For Children in southeast Portland. At the time, Murray was a student at the University of Portland.
“He would do special things, take me to movies,” recalled Simpson of the time he spent with Murray.
Simpson said the abuse began when he was 13 and went on for the next four years. He said Murray would pay him for sex—money Simpson would use to buy drugs. He later did time in prison, always carrying with him what happened.
“I wanted to end my life, it's hurt so much,” he said.
In 2002, Simpson said his life changed, crediting his family and faith in God. He got treatment, and in 2007, the courage to file a lawsuit against Murray. It didn’t get far. Simpson said eventually his lawyer quit, finding their case no match for Murray's legal team.
“He's got such powerful attorneys and people working for him… who am I?” Simpson asked.
Then in spring of 2017, reporters from The Seattle Times showed up at Simpson's door after several people accused Murray of abuse. After more than 30 years, Simpson would finally get to tell his story.
“It makes me feel like there really is a God and He really does answer prayers,” said Simpson.
