Susanna Gibson, a first-time Democratic candidate vying for a seat in the Virginia General Assembly, has vehemently denounced reports about her involvement in explicit online content alongside her husband, where they sought “tips” for specific actions.
Gibson, 40, engaged in a high-stakes race for a House of Delegates position, expressed her outrage in a statement, deeming the release of these videos as “the lowest form of political tactics” and a “blatant violation of my privacy intended to shame my family.” She affirmed her resilience, stating, “It won’t deter me or stifle my voice.” She further accused her political adversaries and their Republican supporters of resorting to a sex-related offense to silence her and other women who speak out.
These revelations emerged after reports from The Washington Post and the Associated Press disclosed that the explicit online material was archived on a different platform.
Screenshots assessed by the Associated Press indicate that Ms. Gibson had an account on Chaturbate, a legitimate website where viewers can witness live webcam performances featuring nudity and sexual content. The Independent also scrutinized screenshots allegedly from the Chaturbate account, although it couldn’t independently verify their authenticity.
The videos reportedly depict Ms. Gibson and her husband, John David Gibson, engaging in sexual activities, occasionally pausing to solicit donations referred to as “tips” or “tokens” for private shows or specific acts. According to the Post, in at least two instances, she informed viewers that she was fundraising for a charitable cause.
The Post stated that over a dozen videos under Ms. Gibson’s Chaturbate username were archived on a publicly accessible site called Recurbate in September 2022, the month following her candidacy announcement. The Post reported that the most recent archives were from September 30, 2022, but the exact date of the livestream remains uncertain.
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Ms. Gibson’s attorney, Daniel P. Watkins, argued that disseminating these videos violates Virginia’s revenge porn law, which deems it a crime to maliciously distribute or sell explicit images of another person with the intent to coerce, harass, or intimidate.
Watkins declared, “It’s unlawful and repugnant to circulate this kind of material, and we are closely cooperating with the F.B.I. and local prosecutors to hold the wrongdoers accountable.”
The Independent has reached out to Ms. Gibson’s campaign for a response.
This revelation marks a dramatic turn in a race pivotal for the balance of power in the Virginia General Assembly. Ms. Gibson, who secured a Democratic primary victory in June, faces off against Republican businessman David Owen.
She attributed her entry into the race to the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v. Wade.
Mr. Owen commented, “I understand this must be a challenging time for Susanna and her family, and I am maintaining my focus on my campaign,” in response to the news, as reported by the Associated Press.
