Kavanaugh's Testimony: 'I Am Innocent'

Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh harshly criticized "last-minute smears" in prepared testimony for a Senate hearing on an alleged sexual assault when he was a high school student.

"Such grotesque and obvious character assassination — if allowed to succeed — will dissuade competent and good people of all political persuasions from serving our country," Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s second high court nominee, said in a statement released ahead of Thursday’s planned Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

(Go here to read Kavanaugh’s prepared testimony)

Christine Blasey Ford, a California college professor, says Kavanaugh held her down and tried to take her clothes off when they were in high school.

"I categorically and unequivocally deny the allegation against me by Dr. Ford," Kavanaugh said in the statement. "I have never done that to her or to anyone. I am innocent of this charge."

On Wednesday, Washington resident Julie Swetnick raised new allegations of sexual misconduct in a sworn statement released by her lawyer, Michael Avenatti. Kavanaugh’s statement made no reference to her accusations or an allegation by another woman who claims he exposed himself to her at a drunken party at Yale University.