Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, wants the FBI to investigate the incident before the Senate holds a hearing on the allegations.
In a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Ford’s attorneys claim an investigation by law enforcement would be more impartial than the testimony and hearings the Senate would hold.
“[A] full investigation by law enforcement officials will ensure that the crucial facts and witnesses in this matter are assessed in a non-partisan manner, and that the Committee is fully informed before conducting any hearing or making any decisions,” the letter reads, according to CNN.
One of Ford’s attorneys, Lisa Banks, told CNN on Tuesday that an FBI investigation would be “the right thing to do.”
“She is prepared to cooperate with the committee and with any law enforcement investigation,” Banks said.
Ford publicly came forward over the weekend with allegations that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her while drunk at a high school party over three decades ago.
Kavanaugh has denied the allegations.
The 51-year-old Northern California professor made her accusations against Kavanaugh public days before the Judiciary Committee was going to hold a vote on his confirmation. The vote has now been officially postponed.
Ford’s lawyers insist in their letter that their client’s well-being is in danger.
For has “been the target of vicious harassment and even death threats,” her lawyers say, adding that she had to leave her home.
The Judiciary Committee has expressed their willingness to hold a hearing to hear Ford’s allegations.
Grassley even said Monday that the committee would be holding a hearing the following Monday to give both Kavanaugh and Ford the chance to publicly testify.
The letter indicates that a hearing before the committee would not be appropriate until the FBI investigates.
