Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott knew of Fairfax allegations a year ago

Aides to Virginia Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott told ABC News Wednesday that the congressman learned about Dr. Vanessa Tyson's sexual allegations against Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax in late December 2017 and early January 2018.

Details: Aides claim that in October 2017, Scott received an email from Tyson — who he says he has known for about a decade — in which she expressed that she was "not a fan" of then-candidate Fairfax. In December 2017, Tyson told Scott that Fairfax had a "MeToo allegation," but did not explain that she was the accuser. She later told the congressman that she had spoken to the Washington Post about the incident and gave his name as a character witness.

• In a statement, Scott said: "Allegations of sexual assault need to be taken seriously. I have known Professor Tyson for approximately a decade and she is a friend. She deserves the opportunity to have her story heard.”
• Aides told ABC News that they do not know what Scott did with the allegations Tyson provided, but that he apparently agreed to speak to the Post.

Go deeper: Lawmakers react to Fairfax sexual assault allegations