RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Attorneys for one of the women accusing Virginia’s lieutenant governor of sexual assault say Justin Fairfax’s defamation lawsuit against CBS over an interview she gave is a “ploy” to preserve his political career.

The attorneys for Vanessa Tyson say the college professor stands by statements she made during the CBS interview earlier this year.

Fairfax has sued CBS over that interview and a separate one the company did with a second accuser, Meredith Watson. He’s accusing CBS of defamation, saying nobody at the company investigated or adequately fact-checked the women’s allegations.

Fairfax has said the encounters were consensual and the women’s allegations were politically motivated.

Nancy Erika Smith is an attorney for Watson. Smith says, “We look forward to everyone testifying under oath, now that this matter is in court.”

CBS said in a statement that it stands by its reporting and will “vigorously” defend the lawsuit.