Former State Supreme Court Justice Matthew Rosenbaum is responding to a lawsuit that he allegedly sexually abused and raped a former secretary.

The former judge released a video statement Wednesday in which he says he was not faithful to his wife, claiming a relationship he had outside his marriage was consensual.

This is the first time Rosenbaum has made a public statement since his dismissal from the bench.

Rosenbaum's full statement can be read below:

More than a decade ago, I wrongly got involved with a woman outside of my marriage. It was not only wrong, it was a stupid thing to do. It was unfair to my wife, to my children and to those that believed in me. First, to my wife, as I have said, I am sorry beyond my ability to express it in words. The same to my children, the rest of my family and friends. My wife and family have known about this prior relationship for a while and their having forgiven me is what is allowing us to move forward in our lives, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

But, there is another issue I must confront. That is the untrue allegation that the relationship was anything but consensual. It was always totally consensual, and any attempt to frame it as other than that is both untrue and unfair.

I also need to apologize to the seven other parties that have been named in this lawsuit as well. I am sorry that you have been dragged into this matter unfairly.

I know and have faith in the judicial system. I trust that an impartial review of all of these allegations will support everything I have said here.

This comes one day after the Monroe County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) confirmed it is investigating Rosenbaum, and days after a lawsuit was filed against him by one of his former secretaries, accusing him of sexual abuse. 

The lawsuit alleges Rosenbaum demanded the secretary perform oral sex more than 50 times between 2005 and 2009. The secretary also alleges Rosenbaum raped her in her home in 2006. According to the lawsuit, the secretary reported her abuse to many state officials, but was allegedly told nothing could be done, and says in her claim that she was told she would lose her job or even her son in a custody case if she did not comply. 

Rosenbaum was relieved of his judicial duties by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct in December 2019 following allegations of misconduct. It is not clear at this time whether those allegations are related to the current accusations.

Court documents from that time showed Rosenbaum made an agreement with the commission to vacate his seat and never seek any judicial office at any time in the future.

Rosenbaum officially resigned in January 2020.