Mayor of Seattle sued over alleged child sexual assaults in the 1980s

A man is suing the mayor of Seattle over alleged child sexual assault which spanned several years in the 1980s.

The 46-year-old Washington man is suing Ed Murray in King County Superior Court, claiming the Seattle mayor "raped and molested him" during his teenage years.

DH claims to have met Murray while riding a Metro bus as a 15-year-old.

Murray, who would have been 32 at the time, allegedly propositioned him and brought him back to his apartment for sex over "an extended period of time," according to court documents seen by USA Today.

DH was able to describe Murray's genitalia and the layout of Murray's apartment to police.

"Addicted to drugs at the time, DH was willing do whatever Mr Murray asked for as little as $10-20 dollars," the lawsuit claims.

Murray's spokesman Jeff Reading told reporters DH's claims are an attempt to shakedown his boss ahead of his running for re-election as mayor.

"These false accusations are intended to damage a prominent elected official who has been a defender of vulnerable populations for decades. It is not a coincidence that this shakedown effort comes within weeks of the campaign filing deadline," Mr Reading said.

"These unsubstantiated assertions, dating back three decades, are categorically false. Mayor Murray has never engaged in an inappropriate relationship with any minor."

"Mayor Murray will vigorously fight these allegations in court."

Mayor Murray's lawyer, Robert Sulkin, has also expressed his scepticism with the timing of DH's lawsuit.

"Think about it: For 30 years nothing was said and all of the sudden an accuser comes, who apparently, it has been reported, has a long criminal record, and makes these allegations," Mr Sulkin said.

Two other men have also approached the Seattle Times claiming to have been sexually assaulted by Murray as teenagers in the 1980s.

The newspaper initially chose not to publish their claims in 2008 when they came forward, but have since rescinded their original position given the similarity between their claims and the new case.

All three accusers have substantial criminal records.