Attorneys for Ford call FBI review of Kavanaugh allegations ‘stain on the process’

Attorneys for Christine Blasey Ford on Thursday criticized the FBI over the scope of its investigation into her sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, calling the review a “stain” on the bureau.

“It took tremendous courage for Dr. Ford to come forward. As she testified before the Judiciary Committee, she was eager to talk to the FBI,” the attorneys wrote in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

“The ‘investigation’ conducted over the past five days is a stain on the process, on the FBI and on our American ideal of justice,” they added.

{mosads}Attorneys Debra Katz, Lisa Banks and Michael Bromwich said Ford would have provided the FBI with her medical records and information pertaining to a polygraph exam she took in August.

“Such an interview would have played a crucial role in providing the FBI with a full picture of all of the facts involved in this important and serious matter,” the attorneys wrote.

Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week that Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed and groped her during a high school party in the 1980s. She told senators she was “100 percent” confident it was Kavanaugh who allegedly assaulted her.

Kavanaugh fiercely denied Ford’s claims in his own testimony, asserting he was “100 percent” certain he was not involved.

Ford’s attorneys also provided Wray with eight additional witnesses who they said were willing to speak with agents, but were not contacted. They noted that Ford herself was not interviewed as part of the review of her allegations.

Among the individuals the attorneys said would have corroborated Ford’s account was her husband, Russell Ford, who said in a sworn declaration that his wife discussed the alleged incident during a 2012 therapy session. 

Attorneys also requested that the FBI speak with Jeremiah Hanafin, who conducted Ford’s polygraph exam in August and determined she was being truthful about the Kavanaugh allegations. 

The attorneys listed three additional witnesses who signed sworn declarations backing up Ford’s account. Those declarations were provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee prior to last week’s hearing.

All the individuals are still willing to speak with law enforcement, the attorneys said.

President Trump authorized a supplementary FBI review of allegations against Kavanaugh the day after the hearing.

Senators began reviewing the FBI’s findings on Thursday, with GOP senators praising its thoroughness and stating the report shows no corroborating evidence of claims against the judge. The stamp of approval from key GOP swing votes appeared to clear a path to Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

Democrats have railed against the investigation and questioned its effectiveness, given agents did not speak with Ford or Kavanaugh, as well as several former classmates of the judge who expressed a desire to share information about his past behavior.