Judge dismisses Virginia lieutenant governor’s libel lawsuit against CBS

A judge in Virginia has ruled against the state’s lieutenant governor after he sued CBS for libel over its interview with two women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga dismissed the $400 million suit brought by Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D), who argued that “CBS This Morning” libeled him by presenting the interview as fact.

Fairfax has denied the claims made by the two women, who came forward last year with allegations that Fairfax sexually assaulted them more than 15 years ago.

The allegations arose as Virginia’s governor’s mansion was embroiled in scandal after Gov. Ralph Northam (D) revealed that he had worn blackface at a party while attending medical school years ago. The state’s attorney general also admitted during that period to have worn blackface.

Fairfax addressed the allegations against him Tuesday in a statement to the newspaper.

“Since these false, fabricated and politically-motivated allegations were made more than a year ago at the precise moment it was speculated I would rise to Virginia’s Governorship, I have been denied any meaningful opportunity to establish the truth, clear my name and get justice,” he said. “I will not stop until I do and can put an end to this political smear campaign.”

Both Fairfax and the women accusing him have called for independent investigations into the claims; Fairfax has called for law enforcement to probe the women’s claims, while they have reportedly called for an open hearing on the issue.