Virginia

Justin Fairfax Accuser to Detail Allegations to Boston Prosecutors

A spokeswoman for Fairfax said he would explore filing a criminal complaint in response to a false complaint

An attorney for a woman who accused Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of sexually assaulting her in Boston nearly 15 years ago says the woman will discuss her allegations with law enforcement.

Debra Katz, an attorney for Vanessa Tyson, said Wednesday that Tyson will meet with members of the Suffolk County district attorney's office to detail her accusations against Fairfax.

Katz said she has spoken to District Attorney Rachael Rollins and they are working to schedule a meeting.

Fairfax has denied assaulting Tyson and described their encounter as consensual.

Rollins sent a letter to Tyson's legal team last week saying her office is prepared to investigate if Tyson files a criminal complaint.

Lauren Burke, a spokeswoman for Fairfax, told The Boston Globe that Fairfax would fully cooperate with an investigation by Suffolk County prosecutors. But she also said, "In that event, the lieutenant governor will explore all options with regard to filing his own criminal complaint in response to the filing of a false criminal complaint against him."

Katz called the statement a "shocking threat."

"This is a clear effort to obstruct justice. Dr. Tyson will not be bullied and she will not be silenced by such threats," Katz said in a statement.

Tyson previously said in a statement that Fairfax held her head down and forced her to perform oral sex in his hotel room at the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Fairfax said the encounter was consensual.

Tyson has not otherwise commented publicly and hasn't responded to multiple requests for comment from The Associated Press.

The Virginia House speaker said Wednesday that he would not rule out an investigation of Fairfax led by the General Assembly. He told the Richmond Times-Dispatch there would need to be bipartisan agreement for that. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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