FBI contacts second lady over Kavanaugh
The FBI has approa-ched the second woman to accuse US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct as it begins a fresh inquiry into him.
Deborah Ramirez accuses Judge Kavanaugh of exposing himself to her during a drinking game when they were students. He has denied the allegation. Donald Trump ordered a new investigation after the judge's first accuser testified to a Senate panel.
The panel approved Judge Kavanaugh's nomination but asked for the further inquiry before the full Senate votes on his appointment to America's top court, reports BBC.
Despite ordering the FBI investigation, President Trump has continued to defend his nominee Kavanaugh, who denies all the allegations against him. On Saturday, Trump said the FBI had "free rein" to investigate the judge.
"They're going to do whatever they have to do, whatever it is they do. They'll be doing things that we have never even thought of. And hopefully at the conclusion everything will be fine," the president said. The Supreme Court has the final say on some of the most contentious matters in the US and appointments are for life. Judge Kavanaugh is expected to tilt the court in favor of conservatives.
He has already denied Dr Ford's allegations. Two others who were allegedly present in the house during the alleged assault, PJ Smyth and Dr Ford's friend Leland Ingham Keyser, are willing to co-operate "fully" with the FBI's investigation, their lawyers said.
A third woman who has also publicly accused Judge Kavanaugh, Julie Swetnick, alleges he was involved in the drugging and sexual assault of girls at house parties in the 1980s.
She says she was the victim of a gang rape in 1982 at a party attended by Brett Kavanaugh. Swetnick's lawyer said on Saturday that they had yet to hear from the FBI.
