Adams is saying this a false allegation because the plaintiff “has a history of filing lawsuits.” Imagine trying this as a criminal defendant. “Your honor, I don’t remember assaulting this particular person, and in any case the District Attorney has a history of prosecuting people.”
Wishing a very 
to Eric Adams and his bootlickers at the New York Times.
Both are essential components of their eternal project of laundering right-wing ideas for a wealthy liberal audience.