Attorneys Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, Counsel for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Respond to Senate Findings on Kavanaugh Confirmation Investigation

Washington, D.C. – Today, attorneys Debra Katz and Lisa Banks responded to a report from the U.S. Senate revealing new details into the FBI supplemental investigation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings in 2018. Ms. Katz and Ms. Banks represented Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, about her allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh.

“The Congressional report published today confirms what we long suspected: the FBI supplemental investigation of then-nominee Brett Kavanaugh was, in fact, a sham effort directed by the Trump White House to silence brave victims and other witnesses who came forward and to hide the truth.  As a result of this effort, anyone who came forward with concerns to the FBI was re-directed, without investigation, to the Trump White House which intentionally buried the information.  Senate Republicans, using the pretext of this sham supplemental investigation, fell in line and voted to confirm Kavanaugh despite the disturbing and credible testimony given by Dr. Ford.  They all had one goal: get Kavanaugh confirmed to the Supreme Court by any means necessary, even silencing victims and hiding the truth.

“Dr. Ford’s goal in coming forward and testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee was to inform the Senators and the public about the kind of man who was being considered for a lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court.  She performed a heroic act of public service that came at a steep personal cost for her and those close to her.  We know today that Trump White House officials acted to hide the truth. They conspired, with the FBI complicit, to silence of those who offered important evidence, including one college classmate who “saw Mr. Kavanaugh with his pants down at a different drunken dorm party, where friends pushed his penis into the hand of a female student.” We also know that this will likely result in no consequences for those involved, though it should.  Congress must take steps to ensure this kind of travesty of justice never occurs again, including by immediately requesting a comprehensive investigation by the FBI Office of Inspector General.”

Debra Katz and Lisa Banks are founding partners of Katz Banks Kumin LLP, which has represented hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse. Learn more about their work here.

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