The lawsuit alleges a cover-up orchestrated by Loudoun County Public Schools, claiming that “political motives” led to a failure to address the assault adequately.
Title IX case
The Smiths, represented by Virginia Republican State Senator Bill Stanley, are seeking $30 million in damages, citing trauma and post-assault abuse from peers that affected the victim’s access to an adequate education.
Notably, Scott Smith himself faced legal troubles after his arrest at an LCPS school board meeting while speaking out about his daughter’s assault and accusing then-Superintendent Scott Ziegler of a cover-up.
Although initially charged with obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct, he was recently pardoned by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
A subsequent grand jury report lent credibility to Smith’s claims, indicting Ziegler and leading to his termination.
Despite being informed of a Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the assault, Ziegler had publicly denied any reports of restroom assaults.
