A man who attended Yale University with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh went on the record on Sunday accusing Kavanaugh of « mischaracterizing » his alcohol consumption during last…
A man who attended Yale University with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh went on the record on Sunday accusing Kavanaugh of « mischaracterizing » his alcohol consumption during last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.
Chad Ludington in an interview with The New York Times said he saw Kavanaugh « staggering from alcohol consumption » multiple times, describing him as a « belligerent and aggressive » drunk.
« It is truth that is at stake, and I believe that the ability to speak the truth, even when it does not reflect well upon oneself, is a paramount quality we seek in our nation’s most powerful judges,” Ludington said in a statement, according to the Times. The Times noted Ludington has made small political contributions to Democrats over the years.
Ludington said Kavanaugh during the hearing downplayed the « degree and frequency » of his drinking. He told the Times that the FBI has asked him to share his story at the bureau’s Raleigh, N. C., office on Monday.
It is unclear if his testimony will play a role in the week-long FBI investigation into allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh, the Times reported.
Several other classmates in recent days have accused Kavanaugh of misleading Congress over his alcohol consumption. Former FBI Director James Comey in a Times op-ed published Sunday charged Kavanaugh with « lying » under oath.
Kavanaugh throughout the hearing insisted that he has never blacked out or passed out due to alcohol consumption.
Christine Blasey Ford, the woman accusing him of assaulting her in 1982, has said that Kavanaugh and his friend Mark Judge were intoxicated during the incident.
Kavanaugh told outside counsel Rachel Mitchell during the hearing that he has never « passed out » from drinking.
« I’ve gone to sleep, » he said. « But I’ve never blacked out, that’s the allegation. And that’s, that’s wrong. »
Kavanaugh appeared agitated by questions from Democratic senators about his history with partying and drinking, at one point asking Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) if she has ever blacked out due to alcohol consumption.
« I like beer,” he said in response to one of Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse ’s (D-R. I.) questions. “Do you like beer, senator? What do you like to drink? »
He said repeatedly that he likes beer but does not drink heavily.
The FBI probe will last a week and investigate Ford’s allegation as well as claims from Deborah Ramirez, who has accused Kavanaugh of exposing himself without her consent during a Yale University party in the 1980s.
Ramirez reportedly spoke to the FBI on Sunday.
