Observers noted that "Michael Avenatti managed to make it all about him."<ref>Kurz, Howard (September 27, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/27/avenatti-orchestrates-coverage-while-unveiling-third-kavanaugh-accuser.html Avenatti orchestrates coverage while unveiling third Kavanaugh accuser]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 27, 2018.</ref> Avenatti refused to cooperate with Committee requests for information and FBI ultimately did not contact him.
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> Avenattisnd Swetnik'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 [[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>