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by WILL FOLKS
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A South Carolina magistrate accused last month of sexually harassing a constable is pushing back hard against the allegations – referring to them as “utterly false” and “irreconcilable” with her record of professional and public service.
Charleston County magistrate judge Mary Paige Adams was sued last month by constable Adrian Lewis – who accused the judge of engaging in “repeated unwelcome sexual comments, physical contact and overtly suggestive behavior” which was “openly witnessed and, at times, encouraged by courthouse staff,” per his complaint.
Adams “engaged in repeated sexually suggestive behavior in the workplace, including manipulating her clothing, exposing portions of her body, and engaging in flirtatious gestures and conduct directed toward (Lewis) in the presence of others,” the lawsuit (.pdf) alleged.
He further accused her of making “personal and suggestive communications, including text messages and comments that blurred the line between professional and personal interactions.”
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As we noted in our initial reporting on Lewis’ lawsuit, multiple sources close to the courthouse challenged the veracity of the allegations – arguing they were unsubstantiated and inconsistent with the judge’s character.
According to Adams’ answer to Lewis’ complaint – filed on Monday (August 17, 2026) – her brief tenure on the bench has been focused on “improving court operations, promoting professionalism, and fostering a respectful and cohesive workplace among the court staff.”
“Until this lawsuit, and throughout more than two decades of professional service, judge Adams had never been accused of harassment or discrimination,” her answer (.pdf) contended.
In providing her synopsis of the case, Adams’ attorneys noted the judge had no role in Lewis’ hiring, placement or proximity to her in the workplace – and was not her subordinate – adding that his presence in the office was “extremely limited.”
“During those limited occasions when (Lewis) was in the office, judge Adams’s interactions with him were professional and appropriate,” the filing stated. “To the best of her recollection, she was never alone with him. She never sent inappropriate text messages or communications to (Lewis), never had improper physical contact with him, and never directed sexual, romantic, or otherwise inappropriate comments or conduct toward him. She never said or did anything intended to make (him) uncomfortable. Nor did she observe, condone, or tolerate sexual harassment by anyone in her office. Most importantly, she never saw (Lewis) as anything more than a valued team member.”
Adams proceeded to respond to Lewis’ allegations on a point-by-point basis, refuting specific accounts contained in his lawsuit. In one humorous instance, she pointed to the apparent absurdity of one of the claims he made about her allegedly placing her hand “in his hair.”
“Judge Adams could never have placed her hand in (Lewis)’ hair, as (Lewis) was bald,” her answer noted.
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RELATED | ALLEGED MAGISTRATE HARASSMENT
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According to Adams, the only sexually explicit comment she had knowledge of related to Lewis was passed on to her after the filing of the lawsuit. That comment, she insists, was actually made by Lewis.
“I think the judge wants my body,” he allegedly told Sonia Wilson, a courthouse employee who was listed alongside Adams and Charleston County as a defendant in the action.
Wilson said she told Lewis if he believed the judge “wanted his body” he should report her.
Adams’ answer explicitly rejected allegations that Lewis was in any way intimidated, threatened, blackballed or otherwise discriminated against during his tenure at Charleston County.
Adams is seeking a dismissal of the claim against her and recovery of her court costs.
Keep it tuned to FITSNews as this case moves forward…
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THE ANSWER…
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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