Virginia Delegate Patrick Hope (D) will hold off on filing the paperwork to begin impeachment proceedings against Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D), saying in a statement on Monday he’s “open to discussions on other avenues that would accomplish the same goals.”
But Hope remained steadfast in his calls for Fairfax to resign following the allegations raised on Friday by a second woman who claims Fairfax sexually assaulted her. Hope said he was “absolutely horrified” by the accusations and said he believes “both of these brave women.”
“Lt. Governor Fairfax should have already resigned,” he said in his statement. “It is atrocious that he will be presiding over the Senate of Virginia today with these allegations. The message being sent to victims of sexual assault is chilling.”
Hope said he began the process of researching how to impeach a sitting lieutenant governor over the weekend — which has never happened in Virginia — and sent a draft of the resolution to other Democrats in his caucus. Members encouraged him to have some “additional conversations before anything is filed.”
Read Hope’s full statement below:
My statement this morning – I remain committed to the victims first. pic.twitter.com/01xynHwOdj
— Patrick Hope (@HopeforVirginia) February 11, 2019
It’s certainly notable that Fairfax has called for an investigation by legal authorities, as I understand that both cases are potentially still within the respective Statute of Limitations, so he’s exposing himself to legal jeopardy.
Not exactly the actions of someone who is not confident in his innocence.
Additional conversations. Like, “What the f___k do we do now?”
As I said on another string out here, if Fairfax wants due process, impeachment is due process i this case. (Due process is simply the process that is due.)
To me, Fairfax’s transgressions are far more serious–indeed, of another dimension–than those of Northam or Herring, disturbing as they are.
What if the women involved don’t want to go through a lengthy criminal process, which would be likely to take a year or two, and might be derailed by prosecutors at any time, without prior consultation with the accusers? I have a client who is an accuser in a sexual assault matter, and it’s not easy to be sitting around waiting while the system plays out.
Testifying at an impeachment hearing would be unpleasant, perhaps even torture (look what happened to Dr. Blasey Ford), but likely not has hard as bringing criminal charges.
Also the criminal charges would have to be brought in two different states, further confusing, delaying and generally messing things up.
And it’s not easy being the accused, particularly if they feel they are innocent of the charges.
And in a country which presumes innocent until proven guilty, allowing people to have their lives ruined by unsubstantiated statements is just plain wrong.
I prefer due process before calling for someone to resign or to impeach them. Certainly the 2 women in question should be taken seriously, but due process is what this countries legal system demands.