Justin Fairfax Leaves McLean Law Firm

McLEAN, VA—Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax announced Monday, July 1, he's leaving his job at the law firm Morrison & Foerster, which had put him on paid leave after two women accused him in February of sexual assault. The firm had investigated his time at the practice but not the allegations.

"It has been an honor to be affiliated with such a distinguished firm as Morrison & Foerster, and I wanted to allow them to conclude their investigation before announcing my departure from the firm," Fairfax said in a statement. "But with that process completed, I have decided that, at the present time, it is best for me to focus my attention on serving the people of Virginia."

In an email to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Morrison & Foerster spokesman Radley Moss said that following the allegations, the firm began an investigation to see whether there had been misconduct during Fairfax's tenure at the firm. "The investigation conducted by the firm found neither allegations nor evidence of any wrongdoing by Justin during his tenure at the firm. With the conclusion of our investigation, Justin's leave of absence has ended."

Fairfax, who has rebuffed calls for his resignation from state office, was accused of sexual assualt by two women for incidents in 2000 and 2004. Meredith Watson says he raped her in 2000 while they were Duke University students, and Vanessa Tyson says he sexually assaulted her at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

He said the incidents were consensual, and has compared himself to Jim Crow-era lynching victims. As lieutenant governor, Fairfax will preside over a July 9 special legislative session on gun control.