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The legal team of one of the two women accusing Justice Governor Justin Fairfax of sexual assault criticized the General Assembly for failing to respond to the charges, calling for an investigation "immediately" before the lifting of the legislature, Friday.
Vanessa Tyson's lawyers, who alleged that Fairfax had sexually assaulted her in July 2004 at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, tore up lawmakers for "keeping them silent" and "taking" no action "in response to his allegations.
THE ACCUSED JUSTIN FAIRFAX SAID THE DAMAGES ARE UNDER SACLE: 'PURE COWARDICE & # 39;
"It is incomprehensible that the Virginia General Assembly seems to be planning to end its current session without significantly addressing this issue," Tyson's lawyer Debra Katz said in a statement on Thursday. "We call on the General Assembly to engage experienced independent investigators to promptly conduct a thorough investigation of these issues. Credible allegations of sexual assault should not be ignored. "
The pressure on state lawmakers comes after Meredith Watson, Fairfax's second accuser, and her legal team also criticized state lawmakers for failing to hold public hearings on the charges. .
"Apparently, the Virginia House Democratic Caucus believes that courageous rape victims should be heard, but not by them," lawyer Nancy Erika Smith said Wednesday. "Ms. Watson is counting on the General Assembly to take the necessary steps and organize hearings now, and these incessant efforts to evade their role are pure cowardice, sympathy is welcome, but action is needed."
Fairfax vehemently denied the allegations.
On Tuesday, the Virginia House Democratic Caucus reiterated calls for Fairfax's resignation, saying "the police investigation should be smooth and out of the political arena".
"Ms. Watson and Dr. Tyson have the courage to make themselves known." We respect all survivors and believe they should be fully heard. "The allegations against Lieutenant Governor Fairfax are criminal in nature. and we treat them with the seriousness they deserve, "said the Democrats' statement.
Tyson's legal team said that she had "made it clear that she was willing to cooperate with any investigation" conducted by the Suffolk County Assembly and Suffolk District Attorney – which is competent as to the alleged incident – to "ensure that Lieutenant Governor Fairfax is held accountable. for his actions. "
Last week, the public prosecutor's office asked Tyson to hear what he said in a statement that the "resources" of the office were at his disposal.
SECOND ACCUSER OF JUSTIN FAIRFAX CALLS FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO HAVE ALLEGATIONS OF AGGRESSION
The statute of limitations for such an alleged crime in Massachusetts will expire later this year.
Meanwhile, Republicans have indicated that they would like to see the legislature hold a hearing.
"It is becoming increasingly imperative to seriously consider a legislative forum," said Speaker Kirk Cox. "We are actively working to develop this process and hope that our fellow Democrats will work with us to move forward."
Earlier this week, Watson had written in a Washington Post article that she was "frustrated by calls for an investigation rather than at a public hearing" on the charges against Fairfax by her and Vanessa Tyson.
"Such" investigations "are secret procedures, out of public view, leaving victims vulnerable to leaks and selective smears, and we all know how these investigations end: with" inconclusive results " ", wrote Watson. "My privacy has already been violated, but I am still willing to testify publicly under oath.Tyson has made the same offer.Our appeal to the Virginia General Assembly to require the same Fairfax has been welcomed with inaction. "
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Fairfax said the meetings with Watson and Tyson were consensual and suggested that the two women 's charges were part of a political defamation campaign aimed at preventing him from succeeding Democratic Governor Ralph Northam' s. he was forced to resign in a racist photographic scandal.
"I have never imposed myself on anyone," Fairfax said in a recent statement. "I ask for a full investigation of these unfounded and false allegations. Such an investigation will confirm my story because I tell the truth. "
Samuel Chamberlain of Fox News, Garrett Tenney and Associated Press contributed to this report.
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