Over the past couple of days, Meredith Watson alleged that Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax raped her in a "premeditated" and "aggressive" fashion, and so did former NBA player Corey Maggette. The separate encounters took place approximately two decades ago on the campus of Duke University.
Smith Mullins P.C., Watson's legal representation, released a statement detailing how Fairfax "chose to rape her in a premeditated way" after learning of the previous accusation of rape by Corey Maggette that took place during Watson's sophomore year:
"She went to the Dean, who provided no help and discouraged her from pursuing the claim further. Ms. Watson also told friends, including Justin Fairfax. Mr. Fairfax then used this prior assault against Ms. Watson, as he explained to her during the only encounter she had with him after the rape. She left a campus party when he arrived, and he followed her out. She turned and asked: 'Why did you do it?' Mr. Fairfax answered: 'I knew that because of what happened to you last year, you’d be too afraid to say anything.'"
Maggette attended Duke University from 1998-1999, playing for only one season before being drafted to the NBA. He denied sexually assaulting Watson in a released statement:
“It has only been through media accounts and a statement from Meredith Watson’s lawyer that I first learned or heard of anything about these sexual assault allegations. I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my life and I completely and categorically deny any such charge.”
Fairfax responded to the allegations by stating that "she never said or otherwise indicated that our interaction was not consensual or caused her any discomfort."
Fairfax has also been accused of sexual assault by Vanessa Tyson at a 2004 Democratic National Convention, where she stated that an initial consensual kiss quickly crossed personal boundaries.
"Mr. Fairfax put his hand behind my neck and forcefully pushed my head towards his crotch. Only then did I realize that he had unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and taken out his penis. He then forced his penis into my mouth," Tyson stated.
Fairfax maintains that both encounters were consensual.
Fairfax called on the FBI to "investigate fully and thoroughly the allegations against me."
"What I have just expressed is the truth," he said. "I want to stand here in that truth and restate that my truth, as well as the truth of Dr. Tyson and Ms. Watson, should be fully investigated and thoroughly assessed."
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