Chuck Grassley, Republican Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has sent a letter to Christine Blasey Ford’s lawyer requesting better cooperation.
Grassley again requests access to Fort’s therapy records already partially shared with The Washington Post, as well as all written, audiovisual or electronic evidence to support her claims.
But in what can fairly be described as a bombshell, Grassley suggests that Ford may have lied about her experience with polygraph testing.
The results of the polygraph Ford took have been used by the media, Democrats and Ford to bolster her account of the alleged assault by Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge.
Here’s the relevant part of the letter (emphasis added):
Second, I renew my request for copies of all audio or video recordings produced during the course of Mr. Hanafin’s polygraph examination of Dr. Ford, as well as all polygraph charts and other data that Mr. Hanafin relied upon in preparing his report. I made these requests both before and during the hearing, but I have yet to receive them. Dr. Ford cited the results of this polygraph examination to support her allegations. It’s unfair to rely on the results of a polygraph examination while withholding the materials necessary to assess the accuracy of the results.The full details of Dr. Ford’s polygraph are particularly important because the Senate Judiciary Committee has received a sworn statement from a longtime boyfriend of Dr. Ford’s, stating that he personally witnessed Dr. Ford coaching a friend on polygraph examinations. When asked under oath in the hearing whether she’d ever given any tips or advice to someone who was planning on taking a polygraph, Dr. Ford replied, “Never.” This statement raises specific concerns about the reliability of her polygraph examination results. The Senate therefore needs this information.
Grassley’s letter does not attach the statement received regarding Ford’s coaching a friend on polygraph examinations. John Roberts’ of Fox News has obtained a statement, which does not appear to be sworn, which reads in part;
I first met Christine Blasey (now Dr. Christine Blasey Ford) in 1989 or 1990 in California. From 1990-91, I was just friends with Ford. From approximately 1992 10 1998. I was in a relationship with Dr. Ford. I found her truthful and maintain no animus towards her.During our time dating, Dr. Ford never brought up anything regarding her experience as a victim of sexual assault, harassment, or misconduct. Dr. Ford never mentioned Brett Kavanaugh.During some of the time we were dating. Dr. Ford lived with Monica L. McLean, who I understood to be her life-long best friend. During that time, it was my understanding that McLean was interviewing for jobs with the FBI and lhc US Attorney’s Office. I witnessed Dr. Ford help McLean prepare for a potential polygraph exam. Dr. Ford explained in detail what to expect, how polygraphs worked and helped McLean become familiar and less nervous about the exam. Dr. Ford was able to help because of her background in psychology.
It’s not clear if this was the statement to which Grassley was referring, or if there is an additional “sworn statement.” Given how the Committee has conducted its investigation with other witnesses, it’s possible that there was an interview under oath, to which Grassley is referring. If we receive more information, we will update.
Here’s Ford’s testimony referenced by Grassley (emphasis added):
MITCHELL: Have you ever had discussions with anyone, beside your attorneys, on how to take a polygraph?FORD: Never.MITCHELL: And I don’t just mean countermeasures, but I mean just any sort of tips, or anything like that.FORD: No. I was scared of the test itself, but was comfortable that I could tell the information, and the test would reveal whatever it was going to reveal. I didn’t expect it to be as long as it was going to be, so it was a little bit stressful.MITCHELL: Had — have you ever given tips or advice to somebody who was looking to take a polygraph test?FORD: Never.
Here’s Grassley’s letter:
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UPDATE: The woman mentioned as having interacted with Ford as to polygraphs has denied the accusation by Ford’s former boyfriend:
A friend of Christine Blasey Ford denied Wednesday that the Kavanaugh accuser ever helped her prepare for a lie detector test, firing back at claims purportedly from a Ford ex-boyfriend that raised new questions about her Senate testimony….“I have NEVER had Christine Blasey Ford, or anybody else, prepare me, or provide any other type of assistance whatsoever in connection with any polygraph exam I have taken at anytime,” McLean said.
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