Here's what Julie Swetnick risks by coming forward

Brett Kavanaugh.
(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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.

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Summer Meza, The Week US

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.