A few days after we heard from his two accusers, Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax has offered his own side of the stories. He's accused of sexually assaulting Scripps College Professor Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson. Tyson alleges Fairfax took advantage of her in a hotel room during the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Watson says he assaulted her when they were students at Duke University.
In a public statement Wednesday, Fairfax was adamant that his encounter with Tyson was "completely consensual."
"After I arrived, I met Dr. Tyson, who was a volunteer at the Convention," he said. "As young adults and students we spent time together talking. I invited her to my hotel room, where we engaged in completely consensual activity. I have heard Dr. Tyson say that I held her neck and physically forced her to engage in sexual contact. That is simply is not true. What she alleged never happened. At no time did I force any contact."
He added that there were inaccuracies in Tyson's story. He says he wasn't at the DNC Convention on July 26, 2004 as she alleged. As he recalls, he was meeting with presidential candidate John Edwards at the time. It wasn't until the following day that they traveled to Boston.
Fairfax then addressed Watson's claims.
"I did not rape or sexually assault Meredith Watson,” he said. “I did not lock the door, turn out the lights, hold her down, or use any physical force whatsoever. We were both willing participants."
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But the lieutenant governor wasn't just there to make a speech. He released the results of his voluntary polygraph tests to the media, both of which he passed "on the very first try." He also asked for criminal investigations into the accusations against him.
He's also doesn't appear to be heeding those calls to resign.
"I look forward to going back to work for the people of Virginia, who I am honored to serve.”
Another prominent Democrat, Joe Biden, is currently trying to exonerate himself from allegations he touched women inappropriately. In an initial statement, he explained it was never his intention to make anyone uncomfortable. He followed that up with a video promising to do better.
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