FAIRFAX, Virginia — Two Northern Virginia juries awarded more than $1 million to a teacher and parent falsely branded as child predators by the leader of a conservative political organization.
Fairfax County Public Schools teacher Robert Rigby Jr. and parent activist Vanessa Hall sued David Gordon and the Virginia Project PAC over social media posts accusing them of participating in a “grooming gang,” child sexual abuse and an abduction scheme. The defendants presented no evidence supporting those inflammatory accusations.
Rigby, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ students, said the posts damaged his reputation and caused students to question whether they should enroll in his Latin classes. Hall said the allegations were especially devastating because she had served as a parent, Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and child-safety advocate.
Separate juries awarded Hall $700,000 and Rigby $350,000 in June. Gordon is expected to appeal.
Virginia’s anti-SLAPP law played a central role because it protects legitimate public criticism while allowing liability for demonstrably false factual claims. The plaintiffs’ attorney said the case exposed an imbalance: unsuccessful plaintiffs can be ordered to cover defendants’ legal expenses, while people who prove they were defamed do not automatically recover their own fees.
Virginia also caps punitive damages at $350,000, regardless of a jury’s higher award.
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