An aide to Mayor Zohran Mamdani is under scrutiny regarding his knowledge of a high-profile rape case involving a Democratic Party insider who later became a registered sex offender.
Attorney Carrie Goldberg seeks to question Mamdani’s First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan concerning allegations from her client, Elizabeth Crothers, who claims she was sexually assaulted by then-state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s chief legal counsel in 2001.
Fuleihan was employed by Silver and Assembly Democrats at the time of the alleged incident involving counsel Michael Boxley, as well as during an alleged “smear campaign” against Crothers, according to Goldberg.
Goldberg remarked, “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.”
She added, “Silver ran a very tight office. 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.”
According to Goldberg, Fuleihan, who managed finances for the Assembly, could have participated in strategy meetings regarding the internal investigation of the rape case, including discussions on whether to offer a payout to the alleged victim.
Three years ago, Crothers filed a negligence lawsuit when the Adult Survivors Act temporarily lifted the statute of limitations, allowing alleged victims to file sexual assault lawsuits in New York.
Goldberg stated the alleged attack and subsequent retaliation occurred before the #MeToo movement began addressing powerful men evading accountability for sexual misconduct and harassment.
Goldberg questioned whether Dean Fuleihan, in his role as first deputy mayor, believes Elizabeth Crothers’ case would be treated differently and how it would be managed in a 2026 administration.
Boxley has denied sexually abusing Crothers but did plead guilty in December 2003 to a charge of sexual misconduct after another Assembly staffer, Rikki Shaw, accused him of sexual assault.
Boxley was sentenced to six years of probation, a $1,000 fine, and was required to register as a sex offender.
Shaw initially filed a criminal case against Boxley as “Jane Doe” but revealed her identity last October when she submitted an affidavit in Crothers’ civil lawsuit against the state, which had accused Boxley of rape prior to Shaw’s accusation.
Shaw agreed that Fuleihan should be questioned about his knowledge of events.
Shaw told The Post, “Fuleihan would know if there was a strategy to silence Elizabeth and what that was. If Fuleihan was in charge of the money, he would know what was going on.”
However, Fuleihan, through a City Hall spokesperson, claimed he had “no involvement” in handling the complaint Crothers filed against Boxley.
“As Secretary of the Ways and Means Committee and Secretary to the Speaker for Program and Policy in the State Assembly, First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan had no involvement in the handling of these allegations or in any settlement discussions related to this matter,” said Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekec.
“Our administration has zero tolerance for sexual harassment and sexual assault. We take every allegation seriously, and we will continue to support survivors and ensure that anyone seeking justice has the support they need.”
Fuleihan has not been accused of any wrongdoing and was not requested to provide a deposition or statement during the discovery phase of the case.
State Court of Claims Judge Ramon Rivera issued an order denying the dismissal of major claims in Crothers’ lawsuit, which alleges sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, including retaliation.
The judge dismissed other claims, including those related to negligence regarding the state Assembly’s training and supervision at the time of the incident.
