SEATTLE - A senior aide to Mayor Norm Rice has been placed on paid leave pending a police investigation of alleged sexual assault.

The aide, who has worked for Rice more than two years, has not been arrested or charged. He was placed on leave early last week after police informed the Mayor's Office that a complaint had been filed and was under investigation.

"The mayor does not want to prejudge guilt, but these are serious allegations and must be fully investigated," said Rebecca Hale, a spokeswoman for Rice.

The aide is alleged to have sexually assaulted a 31-year-old Seward Park woman, described as a friend, at a residence on Feb. 11. She went to police on March 6.