Another woman alleges sexual misconduct by Kavanaugh during college years

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh is under fire as accusations about sexual misconduct cloud what was expected to be a simple process.

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The controversy continues to grow as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares to hold a 10 a.m. Thursday hearing in which a female accuser from his high school years will testify regarding alleged sexual misconduct.

More recently, another woman came forward with a story regarding sexual misconduct during a drunken party in a dorm room at Yale when they were both freshmen.

Here are the latest updates:

Update 2:24 a.m. EDT Sept. 24: The White House on Sunday again defended President Donald Trump's decision to nominate Kavanaugh after new allegations surfaced.

Earlier Sunday, The New Yorker reported reported that Deborah Ramirez, 53, said Kavanuagh made unwanted advances during a drunken party at a dorm during the 1983-84 school year while they both attended Yale.

"This 35-year-old, uncorroborated claim is the latest in a coordinated smear campaign by the Democrats designed to tear down a good man," said White House spokesperson Kerri Kupec.

>> Jamie Dupree: White House denounces 'smear campaign' against Kavanaugh

Meanwhile, attorney Michael Avenatti, who recently made headlines as porn star Stormy Daniels' lawyer, "claimed to represent a woman with information about high school-era parties attended by Kavanaugh," The Associated Press reported. He told the AP that he would reveal more details, including the client's identity, in the next few days and later clarified that his client is not Ramirez.

Update 8:45 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: An unredacted letter of Christine Blasey Ford's allegations against Brett Kavanaugh has been released.

Update 8:05 p.m. EDT Sept. 23: Officials are looking into another sexual assault allegation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

Deborah Ramirez, 53, said that Kavanuagh made unwanted advances during a drunken party at a dorm during the 1983-84 school year while they both attended Yale, The New Yorker reported.

>>Jamie Dupree: White House denounces 'smear campaign' against Kavanaugh

"This alleged event from 35 years ago did not happen. The people who knew me then know that this did not happen, and have said so," Kavanuagh wrote in a statement The New Yorker reported. "This is a smear, plain and simple. I look forward to testifying on Thursday about the truth, and defending my good name--and the reputation for character and integrity I have spent a lifetime building--against these last-minute allegations."

Update 1:45 p.m. EDT Sept. 23:  The Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed that a public hearing will be held Thursday on a sexual assault claim made against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, according to a tweet by The Associated Press.

Lawyers for Christine Blasey Ford said in a statement on Sunday that she will testify in the open hearing Thursday morning, CNN reported. The statement -- from attorneys Debra Katz, Lisa Banks and Michael Bromwich -- came after a call with staff members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sunday, CNN reported.

Original report: Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has agreed to testify next week in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ford's lawyers said in a statement released Saturday afternoon.

The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, had previously said the committee would hold a hearing Monday on allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, unless a last-ditch effort to negotiate with Ford and her lawyers to obtain her testimony was reached by 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

The deadline had been extended multiple times by Grassley as both sides negotiated the details of Ford’s possible appearance before the committee.

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In a new development reported by NBC Saturday morning, Garrett Ventry, a GOP communications aide and adviser who has helped coordinate the party's messaging amid Ford's claims against Kavanaugh has resigned. Ventry allegedly was fired from a previous job due to a sexual harassment allegation, NBC reported. Ventry denied any misconduct.

"Dr. Ford's testimony would reflect her personal knowledge and memory of events. Nothing the FBI or any other investigator does would have any bearing on what Dr. Ford tells the committee, so there is no reason for any further delay," Grassley said in a statement earlier this week.

California college professor Christine Blasey Ford said she was assaulted by a drunk Brett Kavanaugh at a party in the early 1980s when the two were still in high school. Another person, Mark Judge, was present at the time, but Judge has refused to testify about what happened in a bedroom when the three were present.

Kavanaugh has denied the allegations, saying the incident never happened.

"It would be a disservice to Dr. Ford, Judge Kavanaugh, this committee and the American people to delay this hearing any further," Grassley said, according to media reports.

Ford’s attorney, Lisa Banks, said the professor is willing to testify, but believes a “full, non-partisan investigation” is needed first.

“The committee’s stated plan to move forward with a hearing that has only two witnesses is not a fair or good-faith investigation; there are multiple witnesses whose names have appeared publicly and should be included in any proceedings,” Banks said.

Grassley has set a Friday morning deadline for Ford to decide whether she’ll testify Monday.

What You Need to Know: Brett Kavanaugh Accuser Christine Blasey Ford What You Need to Know: Brett Kavanaugh Accuser Christine Blasey Ford

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