Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax has denied sexual assault allegations leveled by the same conservative website that uncovered embattled Governor Ralph Northam’s blackface yearbook photo.
The accusations have been posted to Big League Politics, claiming a Stanford University fellow was sexually assaulted by a man at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.
A screenshot of a private post by the accuser provided clues as to the man she says assaulted her. Patrick Howley, the author of the post, pieced together whom she might be referencing.
The alleged assailant ran for “statewide office” and, according to the post, “by strange, horrible luck, it seems increasingly likely that he’ll get a VERY BIG promotion.”
Fairfax denied the allegations in a very forceful statement that hinted at taking possible legal action against the site. By doing so, however, the probable next governor of Virginia acknowledged that the allegations are real.
Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax denies 2004 sexual assault allegation https://t.co/eJLjoRM17X pic.twitter.com/D65hI5Kmvf
— 13News Now (@13NewsNow) February 4, 2019
“Lt. Governor Fairfax has an outstanding and well-earned reputation for treating people with dignity and respect,” a statement from Fairfax’s office reads. “He has never assaulted anyone – ever – in any way, shape or form.”
We’re sure the media will handle this with all of the careful consideration they have in other cases where ‘all women need to be believed.’
The Washington Post Declined to Report It
Perhaps more interesting is that Fairfax’s statement indicates The Washington Post had been informed of the story but opted not to run with it due to “significant red flags and inconsistencies.”
— Justin Fairfax (@FairfaxJustin) February 4, 2019
Now, imagine those same standards being applied, if, say, there was a specious allegation against the President of the United States, or even a Supreme Court Justice.
Would The Washington Post have declined to publish the story? We’re skeptical to say the least.
Now imagine the @washingtonpost‘s response had this been an allegation against @realDonaldTrump.
Democracy Dies in Darkness, my ass. https://t.co/TpWctvfoNh
— Rusty Weiss ??? (@rustyweiss74) February 4, 2019
Fairfax Threatens to Sue
Calling the allegation against him “defamatory” and “false,” Fairfax threatened to take legal action against the website for publishing the story.
“Tellingly, not one other reputable media outlet has seen fit to air this false claim,” his statement reads. “Only now, at a time of intense media attention surrounding Virginia politics, has this false claim been raised again.”
“The Lt. Governor will take appropriate legal action against those attempting to spread this defamatory and false allegation,” the statement continues.
Meanwhile, Fairfax is currently waiting in the wings as nearly every Democrat lawmaker has been pressing Governor Northam to resign over his racist photo.
Northam had an unscheduled meeting with key staff members late over the weekend, and reports have indicated a resignation is a viable option.
Will Virginia simply be jumping from one major political scandal to the next?
