AUSTIN, Texas _ Michael Avenatti, the lawyer representing one of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's accusers, said he has witnesses who can corroborate Julie Swetnick's story and will bring them forward soon.
At about the same time the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Kavanaugh's appointment, Avenatti spoke at the Texas Tribune Festival Friday in Austin. He's best known for representing Stephanie Clifford_the porn actress Stormy Daniels who sued President Donald Trump over a non-disclosure agreement before the 2016 election about what she says was an affair with Trump.
On Friday, Avenatti talked about the allegations against Kavanaugh and took several shots at Republicans.
Swetnick in a sworn statement released this week accused Kavanaugh of drugging women at parties during the early 1980s and participating in "gang rapes."
"We've been asking for an FBI investigation and for my client to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee but the requests have been ignored," Avenatti said. "I know the identities of witnesses Julie said could corroborate her story and I'm going to bring them forward soon."
Soon means within the next 72 hours, he said.
A vote by the full Senate on Kavanaugh's confirmation will be delayed up to a week after Senate leaders and Trump agreed to a request by Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., to have the FBI investigate claims against the nominee. It was not clear whether the investigations would include allegations other than those made by Christine Blasey Ford, who testified before the Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
The Los Angeles attorney said he believes all of the women who have accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault and abuse are telling the truth and that Kavanaugh should not be confirmed. He said Kavanaugh deserves an Oscar for his performance testifying and that South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham_who had earlier derided Avenatti as a "lawyer to porn stars"_deserves best supporting actor.
"The Republican Party believes in one thing above all else_winning," Avenatti said. "At all costs. They don't care how they win, what rules they break along the way, the ethical norms. It's pathetic."
He criticized Texas GOP Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn for participating in the tactics to push Kavanaugh forward.
The audience hissed and booed at the names of Cornyn and Cruz and was louder when President Donald Trump was brought into the conversation.
Avenatti again said he is considering running for president in 2020.
"The stakes have never been higher." he said. "We have to beat Trump because we cannot afford another four years. If not me, then someone else needs to."
During the question-and-answer portion of the event, state Sen. Royce West, a Democrat, asked Avenatti if he would come to Texas at the same time in October when Trump is scheduled to campaign for Cruz, who is in a tight battle with Democrat Beto O'Rourke.
"Hell yes," Avenatti said.
