Later, in an NBC interview, Swetnick contradicted the main points of her accusation, stating this time that she did not actually see Kavanaugh "spike punch" despite originally saying she had a "firm recollection" that he did.<ref>Shaw, Adam (October 2, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kavanaugh-accuser-swetnick-faces-credibility-questions-amid-changing-story-details-from-past Kavanaugh accuser Swetnick faces credibility questions amid changing story, details from past]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 2, 2018.</ref><ref>Kirkwood, R. Cort (October 2, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/30219-swetnick-i-didn-t-see-kavanaugh-spike-punch-boyfriend-i-don-t-believe-her Swetnick: I Didn’t See Kavanaugh Spike Punch; Ex Boyfriend: “I Don’t Believe Her”]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 2, 2018.</ref> Avenatti's smear was seen as helping, rather than hurting, Kavanaugh because of how ridiculous a claim it made.<ref>Kirkwood, R. Cort (October 8, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/30261-democrats-avenatti-gang-rape-nonsense-blew-it-for-us Democrats: Avenatti Gang Rape Nonsense Blew It for Us]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 8, 2018.</ref>
On October 25, 2018, Chairman Grassley referred Avenatti and Swetnick to the FBI [[Department of Justice]] for potential conspiracy, false statements, and obstruction of Congress.<ref>Carney, Jordain (October 25, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/413153-grassley-refers-swetnick-avenatti-to-justice-dept-for-investigation Grassley refers Swetnick, Avenatti to Justice Dept. for investigation]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved October 25, 2018.</ref><ref>Caplan, Joshua (October 25, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/10/25/chairman-grassley-refers-michael-avenatti-julie-swetnick-to-doj-for-criminal-investigation/ Chairman Grassley Refers Michael Avenatti, Julie Swetnick to DOJ for Criminal Investigation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 25, 2018.</ref>
===Yearbook smear===