Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D) has seen Democratic support at the National and State level completely erode after another woman accused him of sexual assault.
The second accuser, Meredith Watson, alleges that Fairfax had raped her when both were students at Duke University.
Watson’s Attorney Nancy Erika Smith said that Ms. Watson shared details of the alleged rape with classmates who provided statements saying that she did, as well as saying Watson shared details with her friends in Facebook messages as well as emails.
Smith said the details of Watson’s attack are similar to those described by Tyson.
Kaneedreck Adams, 40, an attorney who attended Duke with Watson and said in the spring of 2000, when they lived across from each other in on-campus apartments, Watson came to her crying.
“She was upset,” Adams said. “She told me she had been raped and she named Justin.” –Washington Post
Watson’s statement is as follows:
We serve as counsel for Meredith Watson, who was raped by Justin Fairfax in 2000, while they were both students at Duke University. Mr. Fairfax’s attack was premeditated and aggressive. The two were friends but never dated or had any romantic relationship.
Ms. Watson shared her account of the rape with friends in a series of emails and Facebook messages that are now in our possession. Additionally, we have statements from former classmates corroborating that Ms. Watson immediately told friends that Mr. Fairfax had raped her.
Ms. Watson was upset to learn that Mr. Fairfax raped at least one other woman after he attacked her. The details of Ms. Watson’s attack are similar to those described by Dr. Vanessa Tyson.
At this time, Ms. Watson is reluctantly coming forward out of a strong sense of civic duty and her belief that those seeking or serving in public office should be of the highest character. She has no interest in becoming a media personality or reliving the trauma that has greatly affected her life. Similarly, she is not seeking any financial damages.
On behalf of our client, we have notified Justin Fairfax through his attorneys that Ms. Watson hopes he will resign from public office.
Democrat delegate Patrick Hope took to Twitter to announce that he would introduce articles of impeachment against Justin Fairfax if he doesn’t resign before then. The House of Delegates has 51 Republicans 48 Democrats and 1 Vacant and with Democrats like Mr. Hope the vote would pass the House, meaning in the Senate where the Republicans have a 21-19 majority, it would take a total of 6 senators to cross the floor and join Republicans in order for the Lt. Gov to be impeached.
On Monday, I will be introducing articles of impeachment for Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax if he has not resigned before then.
— Patrick Hope (@HopeforVirginia) February 8, 2019
House Speaker and the man who would become Governor if Northam, Fairfax, and Herring resign, Kirk Cox (R) has called for the resignation of Justin Fairfax saying
“There are multiple, serious credible allegations of sexual assault against Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax,” Cox said in a statement.
“I deeply respect the principle of due process and believe that the gravity of this situation demands prudence and deliberation, but the Lt. Governor has clearly lost the trust and confidence of the people of Virginia. His ability to serve has been permanently impaired and, at this point, it is in the best interests of the Commonwealth for him to resign.”
So far Self Admitted Sexual Predator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has called for the resignation of the Lieutenant Governor saying “The multiple detailed allegations against the Lt. Gov. of Virginia are deeply troubling. They are serious, credible, and corroborated by others. It is no longer appropriate for him to serve. He should resign.”
The multiple detailed allegations against the Lt. Gov. of Virginia are deeply troubling. They are serious, credible, and corroborated by others. It is no longer appropriate for him to serve. He should resign.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) February 8, 2019
Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D) was the first Democrat to say that she believed Dr. Vanessa Tyson and follow up then beliving Meredith Watson, saying “I believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson” then “I believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson, I believe Meredith Watson, and I believe Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax should resign.
I believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson.
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) February 6, 2019
I believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson.
I believe Meredith Watson.
And I believe Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax must resign.
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) February 8, 2019
In a joint statement vulnerable Democrat Congresswomen Elaine Luria, Abigail Spanberger joined with Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton and Congressman Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly in calling Justin Fairfax to resign.
Joint Statement from Representatives Elaine Luria, @RepSpanberger, @RepWexton, @RepDonBeyer, and @GerryConnolly Calling on Lieutenant Governor Fairfax to Resign pic.twitter.com/sbQwujc1nr
— Rep. Elaine Luria (@RepElaineLuria) February 8, 2019
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) who famously shouted that she believed Dr. Ford was telling the truth because she is, and that Kavanaugh is guilty because he didn’t call for an FBI investigation, she is consistent as she called for Lieutenant Governor Fairfax to resign.
My statement below on Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax: pic.twitter.com/chu4oSdnbh
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 8, 2019
Fairfax is innocent till proven guilty and he is vowing to fight on.
We know a lot from both sides regarding the allegation from liberal feminist, Stanford fellow Dr. Vanessa Tyson she said that the two met in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention when Fairfax was a staffer for the campaign of John Kerry. They both say they had an encounter, which started with kissing but they both say was consensual, but then Dr. Tyson said Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex on him and she said that went against her will, while Fairfax said it was consensual. It is her word against his word.
Fairfax has denied the allegations made against him by Dr. Tyson and in public he said that all women who allege to be victims should be heard, respected, and supported, saying also it hurt him that the allegations were made. In private he was saying in regards to Dr. Tyson “f*ck that b*tch.”
On the allegations made by Meredith Wilson, she alleges that she was raped by Fairfax who she was friends with but was never intimate with or dated. She said that he picked her out in specific because she was victimized in the past. Fairfax’s side has only said they are calling for an investigation to the claims. Specific facts pertaining to the allegation of Ms. Wilson still are in short supply as the story develops.
"Fairfax’s spokeswoman, Lauren Burke, said “we’re calling for an investigation on all of these matters.” She said Fairfax would have further response later." https://t.co/Ya6ZPXDbsD
— paul schwartzman (@paulschwartzman) February 8, 2019
As the numbers in the Virginia Legislature grow for impeaching Lieutenant Governor Fairfax the question will become what will if anything will be done regarding Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mark Herring who are ensnared in blackface scandals.
