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Kavanaugh Contradicts Allegations of Sexual Misconduct: 'These Are Smears, Pure and Simple'

Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Monday sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee pushing back against the latest "false and uncorroborated accusation" of sexual misconduct, saying that he looks forward to answering questions from the Senate on Thursday.

Kavanaugh sent a letter to Sens. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) and Dianne Feinstein (D., Calif.), the committee's chairman and ranking member respectively, in an attempt to defend himself against two recent allegations of sexual misconduct.

He opened the letter by detailing how he had sat before the Senate Judiciary Committee for more than 31 hours answering questions under oath followed by answering more than 1,200 written questions. Kavanaugh then mentioned that he didn't learn about the 36-year old allegation from his junior year of high school until the news media started reporting on it, saying that it was never brought up during his testimony.

Christine Blasey Ford, a professor of psychology at Palo Alto University in California, has accused Kavanaugh of drunkenly pinning her to a bed, groping her, and trying to stifle her screams at a high school party in the early 1980's. Kavanaugh denied the allegations, as has his former classmate Mark Judge, who Ford claims was also in the room at the time of the alleged incident. Two other people that Ford alleges were at the party in question, have also denied any knowledge of the party or sexual assault.

"First it was an anonymous allegation that I categorically and unequivocally denied. Soon after the accuser was identified, I repeated my denial on the record and made clear that I wished to appear before the Committee. I then repeated my denial to Committee investigators—under criminal penalties for false statements," Kavanaugh wrote. "All of the witnesses identified by Dr. Ford as being present at the party she describes are on the record to the Committee saying they have no recollection of any such party happening."

Kavanaugh said that he then asked to testify before the committee under oath "as soon as possible" so that he and Ford could be heard.

Ronan Farrow and Jane Mayer reported in The New Yorker Sunday that Deborah Ramirez was accusing Kavanaugh of exposing himself at a dorm party during his freshmen year at Yale. In the piece, she is quoted talking about how Kavanaugh thrust his penis into her face at the party, causing her to inadvertently touch it as she pushed him away. Kavanaugh denied the accusation and called it a smear following the piece being published, and Monday made a full statement in which he called it "obvious character assassination."

"These are smears, pure and simple. And they debase our public discourse. But they are also a threat to any man or woman who wishes to serve our country," Kavanaugh wrote. "Such grotesque and obvious character assassination—if allowed to succeed—will dissuade competent and good people of all political persuasions from service."

"I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process," Kavanaugh added. "The coordinated effort to destroy my good name will not drive me out. The vile threats of violence against my family will not drive me out. The last minute character assassination will not succeed."

Kavanaugh concluded the letter by saying that he looked forward to answering the questions from the Senate on Thursday.

"I have devoted my career to serving the public and the cause of justice, and particularly to promoting the equality and dignity of women. Women from every phase of my life have come forward to attest to my character. I am grateful to them," Kavanaugh said. "I owe it to them, and to my family, to defend my integrity and my name. I look forward to answering questions from the Senate on Thursday."