Former Virginia Candidate Susanna Gibson Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge Amid Sex Video Scandal

Susanna Gibson Payne, a former Democratic candidate for the Virginia state legislature, was arrested on a domestic violence charge in September 2025, accused of assault and battery against a family member. Payne claims the charge is the result of a false report filed by her estranged husband, attorney John David Gibson, who she alleges has been harassing and was the aggressor during their ongoing divorce and custody disputes. John Gibson had previously been arrested multiple times for violations including protective order breaches and threatening language, following Susanna Gibson's request for a protective order citing family abuse. Payne gained national attention in 2023 after explicit videos of her and her husband were leaked online, which she said were made to fulfill her husband's fantasies and were weaponized against her politically, violating Virginia's revenge porn laws. Despite the scandal, she continued her political campaign and later founded an advocacy group focused on online privacy and combating gender- and sexual-based violence. Payne has publicly stated that the political attacks against her reflect broader efforts to silence women speaking out, emphasizing her determination not to be intimidated or silenced.