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 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 publics business, Murray said in a statement.
The Seattle Times reported Tuesday morning on the allegations by Murrays cousin, Joseph Dyer, 54, who has become the fifth man to publicly accuse Murray of sexual abuse.
Dyer says he was 13 when Murray forced him into sex when the two shared a bedroom at Dyers mothers home in Medford, New York, in the mid-1970s.
Murray flatly denied the accusations, attributing them to bad blood between two estranged wings of the family.
Murray ended his reelection bid earlier this year because of the scandal, but had staved calls for his resignation before his term is completed this year.
He had retained support for finishing out his term from a majority of the City Council and four former mayors, as well as mayoral candidate Jenny Durkan.
But Durkan withdrew her support in the wake of the new allegations.
It is time for Mayor Murray to step down, Durkan said in a statement Tuesday, nmoting shed previously urged him to reflect deeply on whether he should remain in office.
Its clear that it is in everbodys best interest for him to resign. As a parent, former public official and openly gay woman, these allegations are beyond sad and tragic; no official is above the law.
Durkans rival in the mayors race, Cary Moon, already had called for Murray to step down months ago.
