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After a series of last-minute negotiations, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday proposed Brett Kavanaugh's candidacy to the Supreme Court. (September 28)
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Brett Kavanaugh, a Supreme Court candidate, described the hearings as "circus" when he spoke on Thursday.(Photo: Michael Reynolds / AP)
WASHINGTON – The FBI contacted the second woman who had been the subject of allegations of sexual assault on Supreme Court candidate Brett Kavanaugh, his lawyer said in USA TODAY.
Deborah Ramirez claimed that Kavanaugh had been exposed to her and rubbed her penis in her face during a dorm night while they were students at Yale University. His allegations appeared for the first time in New Yorker.
Kavanaugh denies these allegations and others that have been filed against him.
His lawyer, John Clune, said Ramirez was cooperating with the FBI as agents were investigating the batch of allegations in Kavanaugh's re-opened background check.
"We can confirm that the FBI has interrogated Ms. Ramirez and that she has agreed to cooperate with their investigation," said Clune in a statement. "Out of respect for the integrity of the process, we will have no comments at the moment."
The FBI investigation was ordered by President Donald Trump on Friday after Senator Jeff Flake, R-AZ, voted decisively for the Republicans, to declare that he would only confirm Kavanaugh in the investigation if it was completed.
The FBI had a week to re-examine Kavanaugh's background and investigate the batch of claims, but even in that little window, former FBI officials had said the agents could find a quick fix.
"They could solve this problem in a few days," said Jim Davis, a former agent who has participated in at least 50 such investigations. "The big and beautiful thing about the FBI is that it can apply incredible resources to whatever the problem requires."
Saturday was a match for some of Kavanaugh's defendants. Michael Avenatti, Julie Swetnick's lawyer, said the federal authorities had not contacted them, but that his client was more than willing to cooperate.
"This inquiry is only about reach," said Avenatti in the United States today. "If the application field does not include my client and the other people who have accused Mr. Kavanaugh, how can it be a credible investigation?"
President Donald Trump told reporters Saturday while he was leaving for a rally in West Virginia that FBI agents had "full control" over the investigation.
"As you know, the FBI is talking to everyone," he said. "They have free reign, they will do what they have to do, whatever they do, they will do things we never thought of."
Trump said the investigation could be "a blessing in disguise". He said Kavanaugh is a "great judge" and he hopes "everything is going well".
Since the announcement of the investigation, other people related to the charges have shown themselves willing to assist officers to review Kavanaugh.
Lynne Brookes, a classmate of Ramirez, has repeatedly stated that Kavanaugh's denials of excessive alcohol consumption were lies, told USA TODAY that she would be willing to cooperate with the company. 39, FBI investigation.
"I have nothing to hide, I do not say things that are not true." Brookes said.
More: Prospects for Supreme Court Applicants
More: GOP senator suggests Christine Blasey Ford may have "false memories"
More: Jeff Flake managed to frustrate all parties past 2 years
Elizabeth Swisher, a Seattle doctor who was a roommate with Ramirez at Yale, said Saturday that she was happy that the FBI is investigating the allegations.
"I think every allegation should be investigated, not only for the truth of the allegation, but also for the veracity of its response," she said.
Swisher, a Democrat, said he saw Kavanaugh "stumble" drunk and "talkative" and she does not believe his testimony Thursday, that he had never made himself blind to drink.
A lawyer for Leland Ingham Keyser, a friend of Christine Blasey Ford, said she "would cooperate fully" with an FBI investigation.
Ford was the first to file a complaint for Kavanaugh. She testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
"Ms. Keyser does not refute Dr. Ford's story and she has already told the press that she believed in the story of Dr. Ford," wrote Keyser's lawyer, Howard Walsh, in the letter sent Friday at committee. "However, the simple and immutable truth is that she is unable to corroborate it because she does not remember the incident in question."
We do not know who will be called by the FBI. The White House says it depends on the Senate and the office.
"The scope and duration have been set by the Senate," White House spokesman Raj Shah said. "The White House lets FBI agents do what they are trained for."
Contribute: Donovan Slack
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