Former NASA Engineer Files Federal Lawsuit Over Alleged 'Smear Campaign'
Eric Sim, a 39-year-old former NASA engineer, has initiated a federal lawsuit against four women who accused him of sexual assault, along with the City of Houston and two police officers. The legal action follows the dismissal of criminal charges against Sim in February 2025, with prosecutors stating they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Allegations of a Coordinated Conspiracy
According to court documents obtained by Daily Mail, Sim claims the women engaged in a malicious prosecution after discovering he was not interested in monogamous relationships with them. The lawsuit asserts that the accusations were part of a deliberate effort to damage his reputation and career.
'All of these women were looking for a serious relationship, but Sim was not interested in pursuing such a relationship with them,' the filing states. It further alleges that one woman, described as the 'ring leader,' organized a group chat in May 2022 to coordinate false criminal charges after learning Sim was dating other people.
Impact on Career and Personal Life
Sim contends he was forced to resign from his position at NASA in 2024 following his arrest on seven counts of sexual assault. He was held on a $1 million bond initially, later reduced, and placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring. The lawsuit details severe reputational harm and emotional distress, noting that NASA suspended him without pay due to the pending charges.
'Sim was forced to resign from his job at NASA and suffered severe reputational harm and emotional distress as a result of the commencement and continuation of the criminal prosecution,' the document explains.
Evidence and Police Conduct Under Scrutiny
During the investigation, police reportedly found video evidence of sexual encounters on Sim's electronic devices and a spreadsheet listing 437 women he allegedly had sex with, as reported by KTKR. However, Sim insists this evidence proved the encounters were consensual.
The lawsuit accuses two Houston police officers of preparing false probable cause affidits to secure his arrest and failing to inform prosecutors about exonerating evidence on his devices. '[The officers] failed to inform the Harris County District Attorney's office about the existence of the exonerating evidence contained on Sim's electronic devices,' the filing claims.
Seeking Justice and Compensation
Although the charges were dropped in February 2025, Sim argues his constitutional rights were violated, his reputation tarnished, and his future career prospects compromised. The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages to be determined at trial.
In a statement to local media, Sim expressed his ordeal: 'The last few years of my life have been scarred by a justice department that was meant to protect me being turned against me. I look forward to justice being served for all.'
The Daily Mail has reached out to the City of Houston, the Houston Police Department, and NASA for comments on the ongoing legal proceedings.
