The parties have reached a settlement of the Heckard lawsuit. I am
relieved to put this matter behind me; however, that relief is
bittersweet, tempered by the painful experience we have all
undergone.
The lawsuit was painful for me, my husband, my family, and my
former staff because the allegations were untrue. I did not molest or
have any sexual contact with the plaintiff. I was prepared to defend
myself in court (as I have been doing at my own expense), but
wholeheartedly agree with the City’s decision to pay $150,000 to
avoid the cost and uncertainty of litigation.
I recognize that victims of sexual abuse have a right to be heard and
I apologize if, in my effort to defend myself, I made any statements
that were interpreted as an attempt to “blame the victim” or were in
any way insensitive to victims of sexual abuse and assault. Like
many Americans and Seattleites alike, I have friends and family who
are victims of sexual abuse, and I am acutely aware of the struggles
many such victims experience in overcoming their past trauma.
More specifically, I regret an article we wrote that led many to
believe that I was attacking victims of sexual abuse or accusing the
plaintiff’s attorneys (Lincoln Beauregard and Julie Kays of the
Connelly Law Firm) of being part of a right-wing conspiracy. I was
concerned about possible political motivations because similar
allegations (also baseless) by another person had been made in
connection with a right-wing organization during my efforts to pass
marriage equality through the state senate.
I have spent my entire political career fighting to protect those who
are marginalized and under-privileged, from starting the any-gayviolence project as an activist in the 1980s; to passing an antibullying bill, LGBTQ civil rights bill and marriage equality as a
legislator; to advocating for pre-K programs, a $15-dollar minimum
wage, and affordable housing as Seattle’s mayor. I am proud of my
journey from a newly-out LGBTQ activist living in Capitol Hill in the
1980s to working as a state legislator, to serving as the leader of

 one of America’s truly great cities. That pride remains as strong
today as it ever was. Together we made Seattle a better place.
While part of me wanted to continue to fight these untrue
allegations, the ending of the litigation process will allow the City to
focus on the important issues it faces and offer an opportunity for
the healing process to begin. As that process unfolds in the future, I
will remain thankful to the people of Seattle for the opportunity
they gave me to represent them for 18 years in the Legislature and
four years as Mayor.