Fairfax denied the newest allegation, labeling it
"demonstrably false" but the claim swiftly inspired calls for
Fairfax to resign. Multiple 2020 presidential hopefuls, including Sens.
Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Corey Booker,
D-N.J. and Elizabeth Warren,
D-Mass., demanded he step down. Past and present Virginia politicos also
called for his resignation.
The calls for him to step down followed the release
of details of the new allegation.
Meridith Watson was “raped” by Justin Fairfax in 2000
“while they were both students at Duke University,” Smith Mullin P.C., legal
counsel representing Watson, alleged in a Friday news release.
“Mr. Fairfax’s attack was premeditated and aggressive,”
the release went on to claim. “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.”
Fairfax quickly denied the claim.
"I deny this latest unsubstantiated allegation. It
is demonstrably false. I have never forced myself on anyone ever," Fairfax
said in a statement.
"I demand a full investigation into these
unsubstantiated and false allegations," Fairfax insisted. "Such an
investigation will confirm my account because I am telling the truth."
Fairfax said the allegation was part of a "vicious
and coordinated smear campaign" orchestrated against him. He also pledged
not to resign.
But the newest claim, combined with the allegation made
earlier this week, only expedited calls for Fairfax to step down.
"The allegations against Justin Fairfax are serious
and credible," former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe tweeted Friday.
"It is clear to me that he can no longer effectively serve the people of
Virginia as Lieutenant Governor. I call for his immediate resignation."
"I believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson. I believe Meredith
Watson. And I believe Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax must resign," Rep.
Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., tweeted.
Earlier this week, California college professor Vanessa
Tyson accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex on him in 2004 during
the Democratic National Convention. Fairfax called that allegation a political
smear.
But Fairfax is just one of three top Virginia legislators
embroiled in personal scandals.
The tumult began last Friday afternoon when Virginia
Gov. Ralph Northam's medical school yearbook page surfaced with a picture of
one person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan hood and robe.
Northam immediately apologized for appearing in the
photograph, saying he could not "undo the harm my behavior caused then and
today." Most of the Democratic establishment called for his resignation by
the end of the day.
On Saturday, though, the governor reversed course and
said he wasn't in the picture. He said he wasn't going to resign immediately
because he owed it to the people of Virginia to start a discussion about race
and discrimination and listen to the pain he had caused.
Fairfax would ostensibly replace Northam if the governor
resigned.
Following the Northam and initial Fairfax
allegation, Attorney
General Mark Herring — in line to become governor if Northam and Fairfax resign
— admitted putting on blackface in the 1980s when he was a college student.
Herring had previously called on Northam to resign and came forward after
rumors about the existence of a blackface photo of him began circulating at the
Capitol.
A housecleaning in Virginia could be costly for
Democrats. If all three leaders resign, Republican House Speaker Kirk Cox would
become governor.
Fox News' Adam Shaw and The Associated Press
contributed to this report.
