VA Lt. Gov. Files $400M Lawsuit Against CBS

Justin Fairfax

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against CBS on Thursday (September 12th), charging that CBS News published false statements from two women who accused him of sexual assault. CBS conducted interviews with the two accusers in February.

Fairfax, who's a Democrat, has denied the accusations made by Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson.

Tyson says Fairfax forced her to perform oral sex on him at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and Watson says Fairfax raped her while they attended Duke University.

CBS News said in a statement, "We stand by our reporting and we will vigorously defend this lawsuit."

"Fairfax brings this action to restore his reputation and clear his name, ensure the truth prevails, stop the weaponization of false allegations of sexual assault against him, and vindicate his rights under civil law," the lawsuit says.