Meredith Watson becomes second woman to accuse Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax of sexual assault, saying he raped her at university
- Meredith Watson says Justin Fairfax raped her in 2000 at Duke University and he should resign
- Her claims come after college professor Vanessa Tyson accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex on him 15 years ago
A second woman has come forward accusing Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax of sexual assault, saying he raped her in 2000 while they were students at Duke University.
Meredith Watson released details of the assault through her attorney.
In a statement, her attorneys wrote that Watson “immediately” told friends after the incident that Fairfax had raped her. She also shared her account with friends in a series of emails and Facebook messages that the law firm now says it has.
“Mr Fairfax’s attack was premeditated and aggressive,” the statement reads. “The two were friends but never dated or had any romantic relationship.”
“At this time, Ms Watson is reluctantly coming forward out of a strong sense of civic duty and her belief that those seeking or serving in public office should be of the highest character,” said her attorney, Nancy Erika Smith, in a statement Friday. “She has no interest in becoming a media personality or reliving the trauma that has greatly affected her life. Similarly, she is not seeking any financial damages.”