Democratic Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax filed a $400 million lawsuit against CBS News over their reporting in regards to two women who accused him of sexual assault earlier this year.
In February, Meredith Watson and Dr. Vanessa Tyson accused Fairfax of sexual assault, but he has maintained that both interactions were consensual. The network’s Gayle King interviewed both of them after they came forward and Fairfax’s lawsuit argues that they “published, promoted, and amplified these false statements.”
The lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday, claims that CBS News had information “indicating that both allegations had not been corroborated by any independent investigation. Yes, CBS recklessly disregarded whether what Watson and Tyson were saying was, in fact, true.”
It goes on, “Fairfax brings this action to restore his reputation and clear his name, ensure the truth prevails, stop the weaponization of false allegations of sexual assault against him, and vindicate his rights under civil law.”
The timing of the allegations, which came only days after Virginia Governor Ralph Northam was embroiled in his own controversy, “demonstrate[s] that it was a political hit job — a deliberate and calculated effort to permanently harm Fairfax’s political and professional career and to attempt to prevent him from becoming Governor of Virginia.”
Tyson, who shared her story publicly first, alleged that Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex on him at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Watson alleged that Fairfax raped her while they were students at Duke University four years prior to the alleged incident with Tyson.
CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
UPDATE: CBS News told the Washington Examiner, “We stand by our reporting and we will vigorously defend this lawsuit.”
