Pressed by Harris, Kavanaugh Denies 'Inappropriate' Contacts with Law Firm about Mueller Probe
Sen. Kamala Harris grilled the nominee over any conversations with lawyers at Kasowitz, Benson & Torres about the Mueller investigation. Kavanaugh testified Thursday: "I don't recall any conversations of that kind with anyone at that law firm," Kavanaugh told Hatch.
September 06, 2018 at 11:39 AM
4 minute read
The original version of this story was published on National Law Journal
U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday denied having any recollection of conversations of any kind with members of a New York law firm that has represented President Donald Trump.
U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris late Wednesday pressed Kavanaugh about whether he had ever spoken with anyone at the New York-based law firm Kasowitz, Benson & Torres regarding Robert Mueller III, the special counsel leading the investigation of Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Kavanaugh seemed taken aback by the question. “I'm not remembering,” he said. “Be careful about your answer,” Harris responded.
Kavanaugh said he would be happy to have his memory refreshed by Harris. She replied, “You have an impeccable memory” and added: “How can you not remember whether you had a conversation about Mueller at that law firm?”
Kavanaugh said, “I'm trying to think if there's anyone I know. I'd like to know the person you're thinking of.”
Harris responded, “I think you're thinking of someone and you don't want to tell us.” She did not reveal any names.
During Thursday's hearing session, Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah gave Kavanaugh the opportunity to address Harris's questions.
“I don't recall any conversations of that kind with anyone at that law firm,” Kavanaugh told Hatch. “I didn't know everyone who might work at that law firm. I don't recall any conversations of that kind. I haven't had any inappropriate conversations about that investigation with anyone. I've never given anyone any hints, forecasts, previews, winks—nothing about my view as a judge or how I would rule as a judge, on that or anything related to that.”
Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah last night interjected during the questioning, trying to save Kavanaugh from Harris, a former California attorney general.
“This town is full of law firms. Law firms are full of people with lots of names,” Lee said. “No possible way for the witness to know if he spoke to someone from the law firm.”
A Politico reporter said on Wednesday that Democrats “have reason to believe that a conversation happened and are continuing to pursue it.”
A search of Kasowitz Benson's website did not turn up any Kasowitz lawyer who clerked for Kavanaugh and only one lawyer who clerked for a federal appeals court judge. The firm has an office in Washington, but only a handful of the firm's lawyers appear to work there. Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Connecticut, is a senior counsel of the firm. Overall the firm has more than 250 lawyers employed nationwide.
Like Kavanaugh, some Kasowitz attorneys are alums of Yale Law School, including Lieberman.
Marc Kasowitz last year was on the private legal team representing Donald Trump in the Russia investigation. John Dowd replaced Kasowitz on that team in July 2017, but Dowd has since dropped off. Jay Sekulow is the only remaining member of that team, which now includes former Williams & Connolly partner Emmet Flood.
Kasowitz Benson has at least one pending case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where Kavanaugh has served since 2006. The dispute centers on a suit the firm filed against a group of chemical companies under the federal False Claims Act. A records search shows Marc Kasowitz has not appeared as counsel in the D.C. Circuit.
Kasowitz was not immediately reached for comment Thursday.
Here's the full clip of Harris questioning Kavanaugh about any conversations with a lawyer at the Kasowitz firm:
Complete exchange between @senkamalaharris and Judge Kavanaugh on Mueller Investigation. pic.twitter.com/FXhW3XmV19
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 6, 2018
Read more:
Christine Simmons contributed reporting from New York, and Ellis Kim from Washington.
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