Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of Virginia has been put on leave by his law firm as it investigates sexual assault charges against him, according to a report.
Washington, DC-based Morrison Foerster “has retained outside counsel to conduct an investigation. During the investigation, Justin Fairfax has taken a leave of absence,” Larren M. Nashelsky, chairman of the firm, said in a statement Friday, according to the National Law Journal.
It went on to say Fairfax was cooperating in the investigation.
“We take the allegations against Justin very seriously,” Nashelsky said. “As a firm, we believe that it is important to seriously listen to any allegation of sexual assault or harassment, and to treat all persons making such allegations with respect and sensitivity.”
Fairfax has been under pressure from both Republicans and Democrats to step down after two women came forward in the past week to allege he sexually assaulted them in the 2000s.
He has denied the charges, claiming the encounters were consensual.
Fairfax’s job as lieutenant governor, an office with few official duties, pays only $36,321 a year, the Washington Examiner reported.
It’s not clear whether he’ll be paid by the firm while on leave.