Rep. Bobby Scott Knew About Assault Allegation Against Lt. Gov. Fairfax for Over a Year: Report

The woman who has accused Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax of sexual assault reportedly informed Virginia Democratic Congressman Bobby Scott of the claim over a year ago, ABC News reports. Aides reportedly told ABC that Scott learned of the allegations straight from the accuser, Dr. Vanessa Tyson, who released a statement Wednesday detailing the alleged 2004 assault that she said took place at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Fairfax has denied the allegations. Scott’s aides said Tyson first reached out to him in an e-mail in October 2017, saying that she was “not a fan" of Fairfax, the then-candidate for Virginia Lieutenant Governor. In another email dated November 29, Tyson reportedly again voiced her dislike for Fairfax and wrote that she would like to “talk about it” with Scott. But Scott’s aides said the congressman was not made aware of the “MeToo allegation” against Fairfax until December 2017, and a short time later Tyson reportedly told him the allegation concerned her. No further details were available on what exactly Tyson is said to have told Scott. Scott confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday that Tyson "is a friend" and said that "she deserves the opportunity to have her story heard."