YOUR FAVORITE LOGO TV SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

Dems Tip Feds to Accusations of Sexual Misconduct Against Brett Kavanaugh

Sen. Dianne Feinstein has sent a letter to the FBI that reportedly alleges Kavanaugh committed sexual misconduct as a high schooler.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have referred information about Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh to federal investigators, and while they have declined to disclose what the matter involved, sources say it is in regards to possible sexual misconduct.

"I have received information from an individual concerning the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court," Sen. Dianne Feinstein said in a statement.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 13: Committee Chairman U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) (L) speaks as ranking member Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) (R) listens during a markup hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee September 13, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. A request during the hearing by the Democrats to subpoena documents on Supreme Court nominee Brett KavanaughÕs job as staff secretary in the George W. Bush administration was rejected by the Republicans. Chairman Grassley announced that the committee will hold its final vote on the nomination on September 20, 2018. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

"That individual strongly requested confidentiality, declined to come forward or press the matter further, and I have honored that decision. I have, however, referred the matter to federal investigative authorities."

Two officials familiar with the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The New York Times the incident involved possible sexual misconduct between Kavanaugh and a woman when both were in high school.

The anonymous woman he held her down and tried to rape her while at a party, The New Yorker reports.

The alleged victim sent a letter accusing the judge to the office of California Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo in July. Feinstein received the letter from Eshoo's office and informed colleagues on the Judiciary Committee of its existence. Some wanted her to take it public, while others told her she should take it to the FBI, which is what she did yesterday.

The FBI, which conducts background checks on all nominees, confirmed that it has received the letter, and a copy of it has been added to Kavanaugh's file. That makes the letter available to the White House, as well as potentially to other senators.

A copy was also sent to Sen. Chuck Grassley's office, a Republican who chairs the committee.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 06: Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the third day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill September 6, 2018 in Washington, DC. Kavanaugh was nominated by President Donald Trump to fill the vacancy on the court left by retiring Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

"Throughout his confirmation process, Judge Kavanaugh has had 65 meetings with senators — including with Senator Feinstein—sat through over 30 hours of testimony, addressed over 2,000 questions in a public setting and additional questions in a confidential session. Not until the eve of his confirmation has Senator Feinstein or anyone raised the specter of new ‘information’ about him,” said White House spokeswoman Kerri Kupec.

“Senator Schumer promised to ‘oppose Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination with everything I have,’ and it appears he is delivering with this 11th hour attempt to delay his confirmation.”

"Senator Grassley is aware of Senator Feinstein’s referral,” said George Hartmann, a spokesman for the senator. “At this time, he has not seen the letter in question, and is respecting the request for confidentiality. There’s no plan to change the committee’s consideration of Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination.”

Democrats had attempted to subpoena documents and testimony into Kavanaugh’s years working in the White House under former President George W. Bush, but came up short in that effort with a series of votes that fell along party lines.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on Kavanaugh's nomination next week, with a full Senate vote expected the following week.

He denied the allegation in a statement issued today.

"I categorically and unequivocally deny this allegation. I did not do this back in high school or at any time," Kavanaugh said.

Latest News