Outside the Crest Theater on Monday night, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson answered new questions from the media about a sexual assault case filed in Phoenix in 1995.
He was attending the local premiere of the ESPN documentary "Down in the Valley" about the efforts to keep the Kings in Sacramento.
The cable network announced it will rethink its plans to air the movie nationally, following publication of the first media interview ever granted by the woman who claims Johnson assaulted her.
The woman who claims to have been molested says she accepted money in exchange for her silence, but she is now breaking that agreement.
Reporters asked Johnson about her claims.
Q: "In the Deadspin article, Amanda says you paid her $230,000 to keep her quiet. Is that true? And did you ever touch her inappropriately?"
Johnson: "I think it's very clear that there's no there, there. This is a story that's been investigated time and time again. It goes back 20 years. That's been a reality, it's unfortunate that stories like this continue to come forward."
The woman told Deadspin the settlement agreement is in a safety deposit box in Arizona and that both Johnson's and her attorneys must be present for the box to be opened.
Johnson: "Um, I don't know if it's true. I don't.. I don't know and I... It's not... It doesn't behoove me to speak on behalf of anybody else, this person this person or anybody else."
A Sacramento reporter followed with another question for Johnson about the agreement.
Q: "You don't know if the document is in the safety deposit box?"
Johnson: "But, but in, but in term.. I don't know what's... I don't know what she's referring to ...I don't know what anybody's referring to."
No charges have ever been filed in the case.
Johnson says he has won two elections despite the allegations and they will have no bearing on his decision whether to run for a third term.
As for ESPN's decision to "re-examine the presentation and content" of its documentary, Johnson said he expected the network to delay the movie release until "the appropriate time."
Johnson: "Disappointed they delayed the opening which obviously is their prerogative, but it doesn't change the outcome and we certainly know the ending."
Timeline of events, allegations against Mayor Kevin Johnson:
1996 - A teen, then 16 years old, reports alleged abused to the Phoenix Police Department. The abuse allegedly took place in 1995. Johnson was never charged.
2007 - St. Hope teacher reports possible abuse. Charges against Johnson were never filed.
April 2008 - Reports of the alleged sex abuse in Phoenix comes to light.
August 2008 - Office of Inspector General sends report and referral for criminal and/or civil prosecution against Johnson. The report includes a report of alleged sexual misconduct against Johnson.
November 2008 - Johnson elected as Mayor of Sacramento.
2009 - Kim Curry-Evans resigns from her position at 40 Acres Art Gallery and the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission.
June 2012 - Johnson re-elected as Mayor of Sacramento.
May 2013 - Kings decide to stay in Sacramento.
May 2014 - Sacramento downtown arena approved by the city council.
April 2015 - Sex harassment complaint filed against Johnson. Investigation completed in May.
March 2016 - HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel airs program diving into the allegations against Johnson.
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