Fairfax: FBI asks about 2019 allegations
Former lt. governor insists sexual assault complaints were part of smear campaign
RICHMOND — The FBI recently conducted interviews about the origin of the sexual assault allegations made in 2019 against then-Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, according to Fairfax and several others who said they were interviewed.
Fairfax, who said he met for several hours with the FBI in early June, welcomed the inquiry.
The 43-year-old Democratic attorney, who left public office in January, has consistently denied the assault allegations, which have not resulted in criminal charges, and has long called for law enforcement to investigate them. He maintains he had consensual encounters with the women who have accused him and has insisted their complaints were part of a politically motivated smear campaign.
Three other people confirmed that they had been interviewed, insisting on anonymity to discuss what they and Fairfax believe to be an ongoing investigation. A fourth person familiar with the matter who also insisted on anonymity confirmed Fairfax had been interviewed. That person was not one of those interviewed.
Dee Rybiski, a Richmond-based FBI spokeswoman, declined to comment. The FBI does not typically confirm or deny the existence of investigations.
The allegations against Fairfax surfaced in February 2019, as he appeared poised to become governor when a scandal erupted over a racist photo on then-Gov. Ralph Northam’s yearbook page. With Northam facing near-unanimous calls to resign, Fairfax would have been elevated to the post. But then two women days apart accused him of an assault in 2004 and rape in 2000, resulting in demands that Fairfax resign and blunting the pressure on Northam. Both went on to finish their terms.
Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor and civil litigator, said he has been in touch with the FBI on an “ongoing basis” since February 2019, providing evidence of what he has long alleged was a coordinated effort to block him from becoming governor.
The news of his and other interviews was first reported by The Intercept.
Fairfax has claimed — without proof — that former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his close ally, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, played a role in surfacing the allegations, which the two have called absurd. Fairfax was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, and competed against McAuliffe and three others for last year’s Democratic nomination for governor; Stoney, a graduate of Tabb High School, also is widely seen as a contender for higher office.
Fairfax said the FBI did not disclose the full scope of its apparent investigation but asked him questions about his concerns.
Stoney said at a news conference Wednesday that the FBI had not reached out to him. He said he believes the women’s allegations, called the idea that he was involved in a smear campaign “ridiculous” and added the only one talking about the FBI was Fairfax.
“These are claims by an individual who has been accused of rape, bottom line,” he said.
Jake Rubenstein, a spokesman for McAuliffe, said McAuliffe “knows nothing about any of this. Period.”
Attorneys for the women, Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson, defended their clients and criticized the idea that the FBI might be investigating.
Nancy Erika Smith, an attorney for Watson, said in a statement: “If it is true that the FBI is actually investigating two victims of Justin Fairfax, shame on the FBI. This latest abuse is obviously at the urging of Fairfax and his political benefactors and PR team.”
Debra Katz, an attorney for Vanessa Tyson, said neither she nor Tyson had been contacted by the FBI. She said she would be “shocked” if there was “a real FBI investigation” and suggested Fairfax was trying to weaponize the suggestion of one.
Associated Press generally does not name people who say they are victims of sexual assault, but both came forward publicly with allegations against Fairfax.
Fairfax finished his term as lieutenant governor — a mostly ceremonial role that involves presiding over the state Senate — in January. He got about 4% of the vote in last year’s Democratic primary. McAuliffe won that contest, then lost the general election to Republican Glenn Youngkin.