Here's what Julie Swetnick risks by coming forward
A third woman, Julie Swetnick, came forward on Wednesday to accuse Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct. She submitted a sworn affidavit, meaning if she knowingly falsified any of the information included in her allegations, she could be found guilty of perjury, which is a felony.
In her sworn declaration, Swetnick includes details about her career, showing just how much she has to lose if she is found to have fabricated any claims. "I presently hold the following active clearances associated with working within the federal government," she wrote. "U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Mint, [and] Internal Revenue Service." Swetnick would lose her security clearances if found guilty of perjury, points out national security attorney Bradley Moss. "As a clearance holder, giving perjured statements would be a career-ender," he tweeted.
Swetnick also worked for the Vietnam War Commemoration, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security, according to her declaration. "She would be throwing away her entire career if she were knowingly making up these allegations," said former White House lawyer Daniel Jacobson.
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Kavanaugh responded to Swetnick's allegations by saying "this is ridiculous and from the Twilight Zone. I don't know who this is and this never happened." Swetnick's attorney Michael Avenatti said she is "100 percent" willing to testify to the Senate regarding her claims.
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Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
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