Former Loudoun superintendent, schools spokesman indicted by Va. grand jury

Two top Loudoun school officials have been indicted in the continued fallout from a state grand jury investigation into sexual assaults in the school system. One has already lost his job and the other has been placed on administrative leave.

Fast, informative and written just for locals. Get The 7 DMV newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning.

Virginia special grand jury charges against former Loudoun County Public Schools superintendent Scott Ziegler and spokesman Wayde Byard were unsealed Monday. At least some of the indictments appear unrelated to the subject of the grand jury’s investigation: how the district handled two high-profile sexual assault cases in 2021.

Ziegler is facing misdemeanor counts of false publication, using his position to retaliate or threaten to retaliate against an employee and falsely firing the same employee, according to indictments unsealed in Loudoun County. Byard is facing a count of felony perjury.

Ziegler lost his job last week shortly after the grand jury released a scathing 91-page report labeling Loudoun officials incompetent and calling the ex-superintendent a liar. Byard was placed on leave hours after the indictments were published Monday.