Avenatti: New Kavanaugh accuser ‘100 percent’ prepared to testify before Senate Judiciary Committee

Attorney Michael Avenatti said Wednesday that a woman he represents, who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of enabling sexual assault, is “100 percent” prepared to testify about her claims before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“She wants an FBI investigation to be launched immediately. She is prepared to meet with the FBI, disclose everything she knows, disclose additional witnesses,” Avenatti said on MSNBC, referring to his client, Julie Swetnick.

Swetnick alleged in a signed declaration made public Wednesday that Kavanaugh and others attempted to intoxicate girls at parties in the 1980s so they could be “gang raped,” and that Kavanaugh was present during a “gang rape” in which she was the victim.

{mosads}”The allegations in this declaration are shocking, they are also detailed, and my client stands behind them 100 percent,” Avenatti said on MSNBC.

“My client has been issued a number of security clearances, fully vetted and she is an honest and courageous woman,” he added.

The Senate Judiciary Committee said in a statement that lawyers for the panel are reviewing Swetnick’s claims.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Swetnick wrote in her declaration that she has held a number of government jobs, including with the Department of Defense and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). She is the third woman to accuse Kavanaugh of some form of sexual misconduct.

Christine Blasey Ford alleged earlier this month that Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed and groped her during a high school party in the 1980s. She and Kavanaugh are set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday about her claims. Kavanaugh said Monday on Fox that he wants the opportunity to be heard. 

Deborah Ramirez went public on Sunday with her allegation that Kavanaugh exposed himself to her at a party during his freshman year at Yale, also in the 1980s.

Kavanaugh has denied the claims from Ford and Ramirez, calling them “smears” and vowing he will not withdraw his nomination.

President Trump and some Republicans have attacked the credibility of the women accusing Kavanaugh, suggesting they are part of an organized effort by Democrats to undermine Kavanaugh’s nomination and questioning why the women waited to come forward.

Trump said Tuesday that Ramirez in particular “has nothing,” noting that she has admitted she was drunk during the alleged incident.

Avenatti, who has expressed aspirations to run for president in 2020, on Wednesday warned Trump and Republicans against trying similar tactics on Swetnick.

“I’m going to caution Donald Trump, Brett Kavanaugh, [Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck] Grassley (R-Iowa) and others: If they try to come after my client or engage in some smear campaign, they better pack a lunch, because we’re going to respond two-fold,” Avenatti said.

“We’re going to respond double as it relates to force,” he continued. “So they better be very careful before they start spewing nonsense and trying to call my client a liar.”