A former Virginia legislative candidate known for an online sex video scandal faces new legal troubles.

Susanna Gibson Payne, 42, was arrested in Henrico County on September 22 for assault and battery against a family member, but she claims the charge stems from false accusations by her estranged husband. The New York Post reported that Gibson turned herself in and was released after the arrest.

Gibson's lawyer husband, John David Gibson, 44, has allegedly been harassing her since she filed for divorce. She maintains that he was the aggressor during a custody exchange incident that led to the criminal complaint against her.

Background Of Domestic Dispute

Gibson told The Post that her estranged husband assaulted her during a June 2025 custody exchange while she was protecting their son. She claims he has been arrested three times since she filed for divorce, and filed a retaliatory criminal complaint against her after the incident.

More than three months after the alleged assault, police issued a misdemeanor warrant for Gibson's arrest. She immediately turned herself in when the warrant was issued, according to her statement.

Arrest records show John Gibson was arrested multiple times last December for violating a protective order, extortion, and using threatening language. These arrests occurred just days after his wife requested a protective order against him for family abuse, which was granted the following month.

Political Career And Sex Video Scandal

Gibson was a competitive Democratic candidate positioned to win a Richmond delegate seat in Virginia's 2023 state race when her political career was derailed. Republican operatives leaked her online sex videos to the media, creating a major scandal during her campaign.

The nurse had recorded explicit videos with her husband on the live-streaming platform Chaturbate, which were archived without her knowledge and later leaked. She was accused of accepting payment from viewers for the videos, which would violate Chaturbate's platform rules, though she vehemently denied this allegation.

Gibson claimed the videos were only made to fulfill her husband's fantasy and not for financial gain. Despite the scandal, she remained undeterred and continued her campaign, arguing that the leak violated Virginia revenge porn laws and constituted sexual abuse.

Response To Political Attack

Gibson refused to be intimidated by the scandal and pressed forward with her campaign despite the controversy. She argued that the leak was a form of sexual abuse and violated Virginia's revenge porn legislation.

She accused her political opponents and Republican allies of committing a sex crime to attack her and her family. Gibson stated that there was no line they wouldn't cross to silence women who speak up in politics.

Despite the damaging scandal, Gibson lost the race by less than 1,000 votes, showing the contest remained competitive. The narrow margin demonstrated that the controversy did not completely destroy her political viability in the district.

Why This Story Matters

Susanna Gibson Payne’s case underscores the broader issues of digital privacy, legal misuse in domestic conflicts, and the challenges women face when seeking both political office and personal justice. It highlights how the intersection of personal history and public ambition can be exploited by others as a form of control. With gender-based violence and online harassment increasingly in the spotlight, this case illustrates the urgent need for better protections for victims.

Gibson Payne’s experience raises critical questions about the treatment of survivors within the justice system, particularly when prior protective orders and known risks are involved. It also emphasizes the power imbalance that can arise when legal tools are manipulated in personal disputes. Ultimately, her continued advocacy on privacy and digital safety is a reminder of what’s at stake for anyone attempting to challenge entrenched systems of power.

Conclusion

Former Virginia candidate Susanna Gibson Payne, who gained national attention in 2023 due to a leaked sex tape during her political campaign, was arrested Sept. 22 in Henrico County for misdemeanor assault involving a family member. She insists the charge was a retaliatory act by her estranged husband, John David Gibson, following a June custody exchange she says turned violent. Gibson Payne, who had previously filed for a protective order and alleged prior abuse, claims the legal system is being manipulated against her.