Fairfax Calls For FBI Probe Into Assault Allegations

NPR reports:

Virginia’s lieutenant governor showed no intention of resigning Saturday, the day after a second woman came forward to accuse him of sexual assault.

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax released a statement late Saturday requesting that “no one rush to judgment,” and called for an FBI investigation so that “due process will provide the fairness, justice and honesty that is necessary.”

He said “the interactions were consensual” with both women. Lawyers for Meredith Watson released a statement Friday alleging that Virginia’s No. 2 politician raped her in 2000, while they were both attending Duke University.

Richmond’s CBS affiliate reports:

One of the women, Vanessa Tyson, said in a statement earlier this week that at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Fairfax “put his hand behind my neck and forcefully pushed my head towards his crotch,” and said that he “forced his penis into my mouth.”

In response to the allegation, Fairfax in his Saturday statement said: “I heard from Dr. Tyson after the 2004 Convention, and she never said or otherwise indicated that our interaction was not consensual or caused her any discomfort.”

On Friday, a second woman, Meredith Watson, alleged that Fairfax had raped her in a “premeditated and aggressive” incident that she says took place when they both were attending Duke University in 2000.