U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has asked Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s lawyers for material evidence related to her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee last Thursday.
He renewed his request for her therapist’s notes which have still not been provided, but he also reiterated his request for the records for her polygraph test. It reads:
I renew my request for copies of all audio or video recordings produced during the course of Mr. Hanafin’s polygraph examination of Dr. Ford, as well as all polygraph charts and other data that Mr. Hanafin relied upon in preparing his report. I made these requests both before and during the hearing, but I have yet to receive them. Dr. Ford cited the results of this polygraph examination to support her allegations. It’s unfair to rely on the results of a polygraph examination while withholding the materials necessary to assess the accuracy of the results.
The full details of Dr. Ford’s polygraph are particularly important because the Senate Judiciary Committee has received a sworn statement from a longtime boyfriend of Dr. Ford’s, stating that he personally witnessed Dr. Ford coaching a friend on polygraph examinations. When asked under oath in the hearing whether she’d ever given any tips or advice to someone who was planning on taking a polygraph, Dr. Ford replied, “Never.” This statement raises specific concerns about the reliability of her polygraph examination results. The Senate
therefore needs this information.
The sworn statement which has been redacted to protect the identity of the witness said:
During some of the time we were dating, Dr. Ford lived with Monica L. McLean, who I understood to be her life-long best friend. During that time, it was my understanding that McLean was interviewing for jobs with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. I witnessed Dr. Ford help McLean prepare for a potential polygraph exam. Dr. Ford explained in detail what to expect, how polygraphs worked and helped McLean become familiar and less nervous about the exam. Dr. Ford was able to help because of her background in psychology.
Here is the relevant section of Dr. Ford’s testimony:
“Have you ever given tips or advice to somebody who was looking to take a polygraph test?” Rachel Mitchell asked Ford on behalf of Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans.
“Never,” Ford answered.
If Ford’s ex-boyfriend’s statement is true, then Dr. Ford perjured herself and could face criminal penalties, but as I’ve said all along, I believe in the presumption of innocence so there should be corroborating evidence before I jump to the conclusion she’s lying. Obviously, in the case of a criminal inquiry, the standard is much higher.
The material that Senator Grassley requested could help in making that determination. If her attorneys do not produce the polygraph records and any recordings made that will speak volumes.
Read Grassley’s letter to Ford’s attorneys:
Read the redacted sworn statement by Ford’s ex-boyfriend:
Update: Dr. Ford’s attorneys responded to Senator Grassley’s request saying Dr. Ford will provide the information he requested to the FBI when she is interviewed. Dr. Ford has already provided hours of sworn testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee. What more could she tell the FBI that she hasn’t already told the committee? This is nonsense, but they should call this bluff and send an agent to speak with her. Anything new she tells them that contradicts her testimony will get her into
“The Constitution tasks the Senate, not the media or the FBI, with providing advice and consent for Supreme Court nominees. It’s disappointing that Dr. Ford’s attorneys were willing to share evidence with The Washington Post many weeks ago but to this day refuse to share the same evidence, which Dr. Ford relied
