Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax issued a statement Monday Feb. 4 after fringe conservative website Big League Politics reported that Fairfax was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2004.

Fairfax said he “never assaulted anyone” and asserted The Washington Post investigated her claim in 2018 and was unable to substantiate it so dropped the story.

While Heavy does not typically disclose victim names, in this case, through reporting and public statements, Dr. Vanessa Tyson was identified Monday by legitimate news sources as the accuser. Then, Tuesday, NBC News said Tyson had given it permission to name her.

NBC News is now naming the woman who accuses Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of sexual assault — a claim he categorically denies. Vanessa Tyson, an associate professor of politics at Scripps College, has provided permission to identify her, per source close to her legal team. — Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) February 5, 2019

By Wednesday afternoon, Tyson released a statement through law firm Katz, Marshall and Banks. Attorney Debra Katz represented Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. In the statement, she said she “suffered deep humiliation and shame,” after the alleged sexual assault from 15 years ago.

Tyson said a surprise but not an unwelcome kiss from Fairfax quickly turned into a sexual assault.

This description is explicit:

“He 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. Utterly shocked and terrified, I tried to move my head away but could not because his hand was holding down my neck and he was much stronger than me. As I cried and gagged, Mr. Fairfax forced me to perform oral sex on him. I can not believe, given my obvious distress, that Mr. Fairfax thought this forced sexual act was consensual. To be very clear, I did not want to engage in oral sex with Mr. Fairfax. I never gave any form of consent. Quite the opposite.”

Here’s Tyson’s full statement. Read more about it here.

Tyson originally brought her story to The Post but it was never published. Another media outfit also confirmed it too had investigated and found no corroboration so did not pursue the story.

But Fairfax has again denied the allegation and said reading her statement was “painful.”

The allegation of the rape first came to light when the ring-wing website published a private Facebook message Tyson shared with a friend, who said she’d been given permission to share it.

Tyson’s message was shared by Adria Scharf, executive director of The Richmond Peace Education Center, and wife of a political scientist, author and former policy director for Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Dr. Thad Williamson.

“This is Vanessa Tyson’s private post she gave permission to share the screenshot of her post she is a professor at Scripps College now. Heartbreaking.”

The post Tyson wrote reads:

“Imagine you were sexually assaulted during the DNC convention in Boston in 2004 by a campaign staffer and you spend the next 13 years trying to forget it ever happened until one day you find out he’s the Democratic candidate for statewide office in a state some 3000 miles away, and he wins that election in November 2017. Then by strange, horrible luck, it seems increasingly likely that he’ll get a very big promotion,” Tyson wrote.

Fairfax, in his statement, claims the Post found “red flags” and “inconsistencies” and appeared to use that assertion as a defense.

A Washington Post reporter said the Fairfax statement is inaccurate.

The Post did not find “significant red flags and inconsistencies within the allegations,” as the Fairfax statement incorrectly said. https://t.co/27vM9DYg0N — Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) February 4, 2019

“The Post did not find ‘significant red flags and inconsistencies within the allegations,’ as the Fairfax statement incorrectly said,” the newspaper said its report on the accusations.

The Post did not name Tyson but described the account: “The woman described a sexual encounter that began with consensual kissing and ended with a forced act that left her crying and shaken. She said Fairfax guided her to the bed, where they continued kissing, and then at one point she realized she could not move her neck. She said Fairfax used his strength to force her to perform oral sex.”

Fairfax, who worked on John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign, said he had a “consensual encounter” at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Fairfax told reporters, as seen in a video posted by CBS Evening News, that he met “her” at the DNC in 2004. He was a “campaign staffer;” they spoke, he did not know her previously. He says he was 25, unmarried and said, “we hit it off …she was very interested in me.” They went to his hotel room for a “100 percent consensual encounter” which, he said, she was “totally into.” Fairfax said later, she contacted him while he was in law school and wanted to see him again and introduce him to her mother. What became of that he does not say. Fairfax said, years later, after he won the race as lieutenant governor in 2017, she brought her story to The Washington Post; he refers to Tyson as “this person.”

Fairfax said that her story is “fabricated” and re-appeared after not being pursued by the media, “at a time of maximum media attention,” meaning as Gov. Ralph Northam is facing pressure to resign over medical school racist yearbooks photos which he first admitted he was in, wearing either blackface or a Ku Klux Klan hood, then a day later, said it was not him. In any event, Fairfax would become governor should Northam resign. Which he so far has refused to do.

VA Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax denies sexual assault claim, telling reporters in Richmond that he had "consensual encounter" with woman in hotel room in 2004 https://t.co/pvo4q30cCe pic.twitter.com/uhVO1VkUpr — CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) February 4, 2019

The New York Times is reporting that Fairfax has suggested Northam is behind the “smear” to prevent him from becoming governor should Northam step down, which as was just stated, it’s not looking like Northam is going anywhere as of now.

NEW: An extraordinary day turns chaotic as Fairfax suggests Northam is behind "a smear" aimed at blocking his ascent to the governorship and recounts a sexual encounter with a woman he said was "very interested in me." But she says it was assault >https://t.co/X9qPp1fmbV — Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) February 4, 2019

And even as this story is updated, statements are flying. Fairfax has a new one out where he accuses the Post of “smearing his reputation” and a lawsuit.

Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is out with another statement this afternoon reiterating that the 2004 sexual assault allegations are false, accusing the Washington Post of smearing his reputation, and again threatening legal action. pic.twitter.com/9EQPzftF3K — Darren Sands (@darrensands) February 4, 2019

And on Tuesday, the Virginia Democrats weighed in:

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF VIRGINIA STATEMENT: "All allegations of sexual assault deserve to be taken with profound gravity. We will continue to evaluate the situation regarding Lieutenant Governor Fairfax." pic.twitter.com/ae39YSXi69 — Virginia Democrats (@vademocrats) February 5, 2019

The right-wing website Big League Politics is owned by “consultants who have worked for far-right Republican candidates like Corey Stewart, in Virginia, and Roy Moore, in Alabama,” according to The Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and the Columbia Journalism Review. The site has supported President Donald Trump and often aims to attack and discredit Democrats and liberals.

On the RVA Dirt Facebook page Vanessa Tyson replied in the comments affirming her consent for the post to be shared. ??‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/pv5ndskd4L — RVADirt (@RVAdirt) February 4, 2019

Tyson apparently gave permission for her friend to forward her message according to a local politics site.

“On the RVA Dirt Facebook page Vanessa Tyson replied in the comments affirming her consent for the post to be shared.”

This is from right-wing media BUT survivors don’t come forward w/ sexual assault allegations frivolously. Choosing to re-live trauma in public debate is not to be taken lightly. If Tyson chooses to come forward, we hope for a supportive space. ??‍♀️??https://t.co/S7X9SutnSe — RVADirt (@RVAdirt) February 4, 2019

“This is from right-wing media BUT survivors don’t come forward w/ sexual assault allegations frivolously. Choosing to re-live trauma in public debate is not to be taken lightly. If Tyson chooses to come forward, we hope for a supportive space.”

“This is Vanessa Tyson’s private post. She gave permission to share this screenshot of her post. She’s a professor…” Looks like Lt. Gov. Fairfax is caught in a #MeToo scandal following his separation with Gov. #RalphNortham who has been under fire over past racist costumes. pic.twitter.com/BspWPauabj — Culttture (@culttture) February 4, 2019

On Wednesday, Fairfax denied reports that he said “Fuck that bitch,” in a meeting.

Justin Fairfax's chief of staff denies that Fairfax said "fuck that bitch" in regards to Vanessa Tyson at a private Monday night meeting, as reported by @NBCPolitics. "Absolutely not true. I was there." — Fenit Nirappil (@FenitN) February 6, 2019

NBC News reported “…Fairfax used profane language in a private meeting Monday night while referring to his accuser, Dr. Vanessa Tyson. Two sources tell us Fairfax said of Tyson: ‘Fuck that bitch.’

Fairfax is in line to be governor of Virginia in the event Northam should resign, which so far he’s ruled out.

Meanwhile, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring admitted he wore blackface in college.

Please see my statement below. pic.twitter.com/FBDcgxHOq9 — Mark Herring (@MarkHerringVA) February 6, 2019

As the top-tier of Virginia state government is under scrutiny for racist costumes and allegations of sexual assault, Dr. Vanessa Tyson had remained largely silent. Until Wednesday.

#BREAKING: New statement from @LGJustinFairfax on sex assault allegation against him saying “…while this allegation has been both surprising & hurtful, I also recognize that no one makes charges of this kind lightly…” @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/GODhTklGGg — Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) February 6, 2019

Fairfax, who continues to deny the allegations, said Wednesday that “while this allegation has been both surprising & hurtful, I also recognize that no one makes charges of this kind lightly…” He is being represented by the same law firm that represented now-Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh as Tyson’s legal team is the same group that worked with Dr. Ford.

Friday afternoon, another woman came forward to accuse Fairfax of rape.

NEW: Fairfax issue statement denying this latest allegation, calls for a full investigation and notes he has passed FBI background checks. Says there is a “smear campaign” being run against him. And concludes: “I will not resign” — Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) February 8, 2019

And Fairfax again vehemently denies he assaulted either woman and calls both accusations part of a smear campaign.

By Saturday, Fairfax had called for an investigation while maintaining that both instances were consensual.

NEW: Updated statement from @LGJustinFairfax calling for a full investigation, asking for due process & reasserting his claim that both encounters were consensual. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/Z7JB3UfLbz — Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) February 9, 2019

Meredith Watson alleges Fairfax raped her in 2000 while they were both attending Duke University. Four years later, Tyson alleges, Fairfax raped her.

Here’s what you need to know about Dr. Vanessa Tyson:

1. Dr. Vanessa Tyson is a Fellow at Stanford Researching ‘Politics & Policies’ Around Sexual Violence Against Women & Children

With the brilliant and spectacular Scot Brown and Frankie “Kash” Waddy. Phenomenal programming thanks to @AfAmUcla and @manthonyhunter #ChocolateCities pic.twitter.com/SOVMZxA5FC — Vanessa C. Tyson (@VanessaCTyson) May 10, 2018

“Vanessa Tyson will use her fellowship year to research the politics and policies surrounding sexual violence against women and children in the United States. More specifically, she will explore political discourse surrounding sexual assault, corresponding policies, and the unique identities of sexual assault survivors,” the description on the Stanford University Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences reads.

Tyson is on the panel of a Feb. 12 symposium, ‘Betrayal and Courage in the Age of #MeToo.”

Tyson, 43, said she’d not spoken about the alleged rape for years. When she did go to the Post with her story in 2018, she also told a longtime friend, Virginia Democratic Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott.

CNN reported that Scott and Tyson “had previously been in a long-term romantic relationship, the sources said, adding that Tyson mentioned her allegations to Scott after they had ended the relationship.” She told Scott in October of 2017, CNN reported and again reached out to Scott in November and December.

Scott provided ABC News with a statement: “Allegations of sexual assault need to be taken seriously. I have known Professor Tyson for approximately a decade and she is a friend. She deserves the opportunity to have her story heard.”

2. Tyson, With Advanced Degrees From Princeton & the University of Chicago, Has ‘Extensive Background in US & California Politics’

Found this old gem from 2001-02 at the University of Chicago… Roommates are awesome!!! @AlbertsonB2 pic.twitter.com/b8Y5iMG9vK — Vanessa C. Tyson (@VanessaCTyson) May 12, 2018

Tyson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Princeton University in 1998. She also earned a Certificate in African-American Studies from Princeton. While at Princeton, she received the Ruth B. Simmons Thesis Prize and the 1998 Spirit of Princeton Award.

Tyson went on to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

On her website, Tyson says she has “worked on political campaigns since she was a teenager, including three Presidential campaigns, two US Senate campaigns, and numerous state and local campaigns.”

Tyson says she “carefully considers how political dynamics affect policy formulation and consequent outcomes. She also formerly served as a committee consultant for the California State Senate analyzing criminal justice legislation including racial profiling and media access to prison inmates.”

She’s penned columns where she examines California and national political races, for example, for US News, appeared on radio with students debating the 2016 election and written for The Conversation.

In at least one of her columns, she described herself as “affiliated with the California Democratic Party.” She said she worked on Democratic campaigns in Southern California “since I was 12 years old.”

In 1998, fresh out of college she said, “My first post-college employment position was as finance staff for Boxer for Senate in 1998.”

She appears to be referring to the California Senate election where incumbent Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer won re-election to a second term.

Her book, Twists of Fate: Multiracial Coalitions and Minority Representation in the US House of Representatives, published by the Oxford University Press, explores “structural inequality in the United States, and how members of Congress have formed multiracial coalitions as a strategy to provide for their diverse constituencies.”

Author Tyson is described as “a scholar of policy formulation, race, gender, and social justice …she carefully considers how political dynamics affect policy formulation and consequent outcomes.”

3. A Professor at Scripps College, Tyson is an ‘Expert’ on Congress & Race & Gender Policy. A Colleague Said She Has a History of ‘Speaking the Truth’

Tyson is an associate professor of political science at Scripps College, the Women’s College at Claremont. She is currently on leave while she completes her fellowship at Stanford.

According to the Women’s Media Center, Tyson is an “expert on US Congress, policy formulation, race, gender, and social justice.”

A longtime colleague, Dr. Ravi K. Perry, told local Virginia media that “Everything my colleagues and I know about her in a professional setting is that she has a history of speaking the truth.”

Perry, an African-American political scientist, professor, and author was quoted in an interview with WUSA saying in his experience Tyson is a “stand-up woman.”

“Given the history that I know with Dr. Tyson, there’s no reason to believe something other than what she wrote. She’s a stand-up woman with a growing, expansive and noted research career. There’s no reason to suggest that she would be saying something that is inaccurate,” he told WUSA.

4. An Advocate for Sexual Violence Awareness, Who Worked With a Rape Crisis Center in Boston, Has Been Accused by Fairfax of Not Being Credible

It’s noted in her Stanford bio that Tyson spent years volunteering as an advocate for sexual violence awareness and prevention, serving as one of the founding members of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Survivor Speakers’ Bureau. She also began a self-esteem/self-awareness program for female juvenile offenders through the Department of Youth Services in Massachusetts.

In a 2007 interview with filmmaker Anglea Shelton, Tyson shares that she is an “incest survivor.” She said to the host, who she met during a fundraiser for the Boston rape crisis center where Tyson was a “survivor speaker,” her father was convicted of child molestation when she was eight-years-old.

“The problem is, people don’t want to hear the message so we just gotta get a little louder…do what we have to do until they start seeing us.”

In his denials, Fairfax points to the brief video which he claims bolster his contention that she is not credible because she did not say she was raped in 2004.

Conversation with VanessaAngela Shelton talks with Vanessa Tyson 2007-01-26T01:00:22.000Z

Tyson addresses this in her statement.

“In that video, I did not talk about being assaulted by Mr. Fairfax. This, of course, is not proof that he did not assault me. His reliance on this video to say the opposite is despicable and an offense to sexual assault survivors everywhere.”

5. An ‘I Believe Dr. Vanessa’ Movement is Growing as Academics Are Signing a Letter of Support & a Legal Defense Fund Has Been Created

I believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson. — Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) February 6, 2019

Meanwhile, there’s a groundswell of support for Tyson: “I believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson.” Soon after the allegations of rape became public, the hashtags #WeBelieveVanessa and #StandWithVanessa were born.

I believe my colleague and friend, Dr. Vanessa Tyson. #IBelieveVanessa — Christina Wolbrecht (@C_Wolbrecht) February 6, 2019

“Fairfax’s problem is this account feels familiar to millions of women. As usual, I believe her.”

Fairfax's problem is this account feels familiar to millions of women. As usual, I believe her. https://t.co/mODyG433ga — The Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom (@tressiemcphd) February 7, 2019

And a “Statement in Support of Dr. Vanessa Tyson from the Women’s Caucus for Political Science & #MeTooPoliSci” is circulating and garnering signatures from academia including outside the political science world.

“We believe and support Dr. Vanessa Tyson. We write as colleagues, mentors, mentees, and friends. We write to express deep care for and belief in Vanessa, and with three clear aims in mind,” it begins.

If you work in academia and would like to show your support for Vanessa Tyson, please consider signing the collective letter below. https://t.co/OwZtDVoMC9 — Michael Chwe (@michael_chwe) February 7, 2019

“Vanessa Tyson has been my friend for more than a decade, and I believe her.”

Vanessa Tyson has been my friend for more than a decade, and I believe her. — Laura Moser (@lcmoser) February 6, 2019

“I support Dr. Vanessa Tyson. I believe her. She is a phenomenal scholar of US politics & race. She has nothing to gain & everything to loose during her sabbatical research yr. Dr. Tyson tried to come fwd over a year ago. Stop myth of a “smear campaign” & believe black women.”

FTR: I support Dr Vanessa Tyson. I believe her. She is a phenomenal scholar of US politics & race. She has nothing to gain & everything to loose during her sabbatical research yr. Dr. Tyson tried to come fwd over a year ago. Stop myth of a "smear campaign" & believe black women https://t.co/WKIur4ocN2 — Megan Ming Francis (@meganfrancis) February 5, 2019

A GoFundMe to help Tyson pay her legal team was created and in less than a day, is nearing its $20,000 goal.

“Dr. Vanessa Tyson has bravely come forward to share her story as a survivor of sexual violence. We believe and support Dr. Vanessa Tyson. Many others do not, and we know that she faces a long and expensive road ahead. This GoFundMe will do directly to Dr. Tyson so that she can meet the legal and security expenses incurred by her decision to go public with her story. We want to ensure those cost considerations do not prevent her from sharing her account and from allowing the public to give it the full weight and consideration it deserves,” the description reads.

Friends and colleagues continue to come forward to share and show support for Tyson.

“I haven’t tweeted about this yet because I’ve had media inquiries and I don’t want to talk to them. But I like this format because I have more control – Vanessa Tyson was my grad school roommate,” Bethany Albertson tweeted. “I believe her and I’m heartbroken.”

I haven't tweeted about this yet because I've had media inquiries and I don't want to talk to them. But I like this format because I have more control – Vanessa Tyson was my grad school roommate. I believe her and I'm heartbroken. — Bethany Albertson (@AlbertsonB2) February 6, 2019

Stanford professor Michele Dunbar has called for Fairfax to step down.

I believe Professor Vanessa Tyson. To the horrific injury of the assault, Fairfax has also attacked her character and called her profane names. He is unfit. @FairfaxJustin must resign so that a replacement can be appointed and then Northam can also resign. #EnoughIsEnough. — Michele Dauber (@mldauber) February 7, 2019

“I believe Professor Vanessa Tyson. To the horrific injury of the assault, Fairfax has also attacked her character and called her profane names. He is unfit. @FairfaxJustin must resign so that a replacement can be appointed and then Northam can also resign. #EnoughIsEnough.”

I believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson. What made Justin Fairfax walk away from that encounter thinking it was consensual? How did he know? Did he ask for consent? Did she say yes? Reporters should ask about consent bc that’s honestly the question that matters the most. #metoo — Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) February 7, 2019

And as Tyson is getting support, the same is waning for Fairfax. Former Virginia Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe has called for Fairfax’s resignation.

The allegations against Justin Fairfax are serious and credible. It is clear to me that he can no longer effectively serve the people of Virginia as Lieutenant Governor. I call for his immediate resignation. — Terry McAuliffe (@TerryMcAuliffe) February 8, 2019

“The allegations against Justin Fairfax are serious and credible. It is clear to me that he can no longer effectively serve the people of Virginia as Lieutenant Governor. I call for his immediate resignation,” he tweeted.

Both the GOP and Democratic parties in Virginia are demanding Fairfax step down.

I agree with the joint statement from the Virginia House and Senate Democrats. Very serious and credible allegations have been made by two women against Lieutenant Governor Fairfax. He needs to resign. — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 9, 2019

And some members of Congress, including Sen. Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia and Sen. Bernie Sanders, are demanding the same.

Lieutenant Governor Fairfax should resign. The allegations against him detail atrocious crimes, and he can no longer effectively serve the Commonwealth. We cannot ever ignore or tolerate sexual assault. — Tim Kaine (@timkaine) February 9, 2019

This is a developing story and will be updated.