AL.com on Tuesday reported a woman who sued the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) over sexual abuse in 2001, called out Alabama Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones for “hypocrisy” for his role as a defense attorney on behalf of the university.
Brittany Benefield was a child-prodigy recruited by UAB at 14. While attending the university, living in the doors with football players, she claimed to have suffered sexual abuse by the hands of UAB coaches and the administration when she was only 15-years old.
In the high-profile case, Jones said Benefield’s claims were “without merit.”
“The charges against UAB administrators and coaches are entirely without merit and represent nothing more than a cynical attempt to extort money by slandering this institution and its employees,” Jones said at the time according to the AL.com report.
Now, in light of Jones’ reaction to the allegations against Republican nominee Roy Moore, Benefield has come forward speaking against Jones.
“I find it to be the height of hypocrisy that he sets his campaign to be on the moral high ground against Roy Moore,” Benefield told AL.com. She claims some of the things Jones said during the process “really made my jaw hit the floor. I just think Doug Jones is full of … something. He was cold, uncaring, unfeeling and calculated throughout the case.”
Benefield is referring to Jones saying the credibility of the allegations against Moore “have a lot more credibility” than his denials. A response in stark contrast to his stance on the allegations Benefield made in 2001.
“The credibility of the allegations and the statements of these women in Etowah County seem to have a lot more credibility than denials that he’s made or denials made by his handlers,” Jones said last Wednesday.
However, Benefield’s attorney in the trial defended Jones actions.
Attorney John Whitaker said Jones acted professionally did not mistreat his client.
“Never, ever, do I think that Doug Jones did anything inappropriate,” Whitaker said.
Jones faces Moore in the special election on Dec. 12.
