PORTLAND, Ore. – The former spokesman for Mayor Sam Adams has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that Adams defamed his reputation by lying about the reason he resigned.

Wade Nkrumah is seeking $181,239 in economic damages and $400,000 in non-economic damages in the suit. READ THE LAWSUIT

He began working for Adams on Nov. 2, 2008, and he resigned on Jan. 26 of this year after the mayor’s relationship with former legislative intern Beau Breedlove came to light. The lawsuit claims Adams lied to Nkrumah twice about whether the mayor had a sexual relationship with Breedlove. According to the lawsuit, Nkrumah says his resignation was “because Adams persistent lies made working conditions intolerable as Adams’ spokesperson …”

Nkrumah claims in the lawsuit he agreed to tell reporters “no comment” when asked why he resigned if the mayor’s office would say the same. But when asked by a KATU reporter about Nkrumah’s resignation, Adams said it was because the job was “not what he signed up for in terms of stress.”

In the lawsuit, Nkrumah said he told Adams he was resigning over the mayor’s lies – not stress. The lawsuit claims Adams’ statement to KATU reflected poorly on Nkrumah’s ability to handle media relations, demeaned his skills and affected his ability to secure a new job.

A spokesman for the mayor said Monday the office had no comment on the lawsuit.