Police investigate rape claim against prominent NYC attorney

NEW YORK - Two law enforcement officials say New York City police are investigating a well-known civil rights attorney after a woman accused him of rape.

According to the officials, the woman says the assault happened when she went to lawyer Sanford Rubenstein's apartment Wednesday following the Rev. Al Sharpton's 60th birthday party.

Rubenstein's own lawyer says his client denies any criminal conduct.

The officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. A New York Police Department spokesman confirmed that Rubenstein was being investigated but would not comment further.

A source told CBS New York the woman alleges Rubenstein had sex with her when she was too intoxicated to give consent.

Sharpton identified the woman as a top official with the National Action Network (NAN), a not-for-profit, civil rights organization founded he founded in 1991.

Rubenstein, who works closely with NAN, has made a career representing New Yorkers who said they were victims of police brutality. The 70-year-old currently represents the family of Eric Garner, who died after an NYPD officer placed in him an apparent chokehold in July.