Grassley again demands Ford turn over 'material evidence' of alleged Kavanaugh assault

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is giving Christine Blasey Ford and her legal team one more chance to turn over material evidence supporting her allegation that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her, according to a letter obtained by Fox News.

Throughout the process of investigating Ford's claims, Senate Republicans have requested evidence that has been referred to in media reports and testimony that could shed more light on what did, or did not, happen between Kavanaugh and Ford at a house party in 1982.

“Your continued withholding of material evidence despite multiple requests is unacceptable as the Senate exercises its constitutional responsibility of advice and consent for a judicial nomination,” Grassley wrote. “I urge you to comply promptly with my requests."

What evidence is he talking about?

Grassley is referring specifically to therapist notes that have been referenced in the media and spoken about during Ford's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ford allegedly told her therapist in 2012 about being sexually assaulted, although those notes do not name Kavanaugh.

“First, I renew my request for the notes from therapy sessions in which Dr. Ford discussed the alleged assault by Judge Kavanaugh,” Grassley wrote. “The Washington Post reported that some notes were provided to The Post, and Dr. Ford’s testimony indicated that these notes were highly relevant to her allegation."

The letter also calls for any audio or video recording of Ford's polygraph test, which she took in August. There was a notable exchange between Ford and Rachel Mitchell, the outside Arizona prosecutor hired by the GOP to question her, in which Ford eventually admitted that she assumed her polygraph session was recorded.

“It’s unfair to rely on the results of a polygraph examination while withholding the materials necessary to assess the accuracy of the results,” Grassley wrote.

Grassley referenced sworn testimony from a former boyfriend of Ford's who said he saw Ford coaching a friend on taking a polygraph exam. Fox News obtained a copy of a letter from an anonymous person claiming to be Ford's ex-boyfriend. A key passage:

“I witnessed Dr. Ford help McLean (Ford’s friend and former roommate, according to the letter) prepare for a potential polygraph exam,” the letter read. “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."

Ford testified under oath during the Judiciary Committee hearing that she had never helped anyone who was planning to take a polygraph.

Grassley also asked for any other communications that Ford may have had with media, particularly since Ford referenced continuing a conversation with a reporter via WhatsApp, although those messages have not been seen.

Why don't they have that stuff already?

Ford's legal representation has maintained that the therapist notes "contain private, highly sensitive information that is not necessary for the Committee to assess the credibility of [Dr. Ford’s] testimony."

Grassley disagrees.

“That the Senate is not a court of law does not change the reality that Dr. Ford’s allegations have put Judge Kavanaugh on trial before the nation,” Grassley wrote. “A sitting federal judge and Supreme Court nominee has been accused of committing a violent crime.”

“If it is necessary to protect certain records from public disclosure, then I’m happy to discuss how to achieve that goal."