3 pm Update: “While the FBI will examine the allegations of Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez, the bureau has not been permitted to investigate the claims of Julie Swetnick, who has accused Brett Kavanaugh of engaging in sexual misconduct at parties while he was a student at Georgetown Preparatory School in the 1980s, people familiar with the investigation told NBC News. A White House official confirmed that Swetnick’s claims will not be pursued as part of the reopened background investigation into Kavanaugh.” — posted by NBC News around 3 pm.

Earlier: Judge Brett Kavanaugh‘s goose is far from fully cooked. But at least the FBI’s “limited” investigation into “credible claims” of sexual misconduct on the part of the sadly intemperate Kavanaugh is now underway. Christine Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh’s 2nd alleged victim/witness, Deborah Ramirez, are being focused upon, but as of 3 pm Saturday afternoon I’m not aware that the FBI has reached out to Julie Swetnick aka witness #3, or her attorney Michael Avenatti.

In a sworn affadavit Swetnick has claimed she witnessed Kavanaugh and alleged co-conspirator Mark Judge take part in gang rapes of inebriated women, and claims she was a victim of one of these group assaults. (Swetnick hasn’t accused Kavanaugh or Judge of participating in this particular violation.) If the FBI doesn’t investigate Swetnick’s claims it’ll be clear that the fix is in — i.e., that the FBI has been told to steer clear of Swetnick for fear of what may be learned.