Following the sexual assault allegation against Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax by Vanessa Tyson, a second woman has come forward accusing him of rape.
In a statement obtained by The New York Times, an attorney for Meredith Watson claimed that Fairfax raped her in 2000 when they were both at Duke University. The attack, Watson claimed, was “premeditated and aggressive.”
The statement says they have emails and messages of Watson sharing her account with her friends and “statements from former classmates corroborating that Ms. Watson immediately told friends that Mr. Fairfax had raped her.”
Read the full statement here, via the NYT:
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.
Times reporter Jonathan Martin added that a spokesperson for Meredith Watson said she is not seeking any compensation for her claim.
Fairfax’s office is denying the claim:
UPDATING: Fairfax is denying this claim, his aides say statement to come.
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) February 8, 2019
Breaking: Second sex assault allegation against @LGJustinFairfax. Fairfax’s chief of staff tells me the claim is false. @CBS6 pic.twitter.com/RbZcoDnPkY
— Melissa J. Hipolit (@MelissaCBS6) February 8, 2019
[image via screengrab]
Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com
