Exclusive | Top Mamdani aide should answer for what he knew about Dem power brokers rape case: attorney

A top aide to Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing questions over what he knew about a notorious rape case against a powerful Democratic Party insider who became a sex offender. Attorney Carrie Goldberg said she wants to grill Mamdani’s First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan related to her claims by her client Elizabeth Crothers that she was sexually assaulted by then-state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s chief legal counsel in 2001.Fuleihan was working for Silver and Assembly Democrats at the time of the alleged attack by counsel Michael Boxley — and during an alleged “smear campaign” that followed against her client, the lawyer said.“First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan was a top budget aide to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver during the relevant period.I’m interested in knowing his recollection from that time,” Goldberg said.“Silver ran a very tight office,” the lawyer added.

“Anyone who managed Silver’s budget has a lot of insight.A smear campaign was waged against Elizabeth Crothers.

I’d like to know what Dean knows about this.”Goldberg said Fuleihan, who handed finances for the Assembly, could have been involved in strategy sessions over how to handle the explosive in-house investigation of the rape case, including discussing whether or not to offer a payout to the alleged victim.Crothers filed a negligence lawsuit three years ago, when the Adult Survivors Act opened a temporary window that suspended the statute of limitations and allowed alleged victims to file sexual assault lawsuits in the Empire State.Goldberg said the alleged attack and retaliation came years before the #MeToo movement cracked down on powerful men getting away with sexual abuse and harassment.“I want to know if Dean Fuleihan, in his capacity as first deputy mayor, believes Elizabeth Crothers’ case would be treated differently.How would it have been handled in a 2026 administration?” Goldberg said.Boxley has denied sexually abusing Crothers but he did plead guilty in...