Former Loudoun County, Virginia Superintendent Indicted Over Handling of Sexual Assault Cases

Former Loudoun County, Virginia School Superintendent Scott Ziegler has been indicted over his handling of sexual assaults that occurred in district schools.

Key Quotes: "They all knew," said Scott Smith, the father of the first sexual assault victim. "They did their own report on this that they did not release to the public. All those school board members knew." In a statement, Ziegler wrote: "I am disappointed that an Attorney General-controlled, secret, and one-sided process — which never once sought my testimony — has made such false and irresponsible accusations. I will vigorously defend myself."

For Context: The assaults were reportedly committed by a male who identified as female and used the girls' bathroom, where at least one assault took place. In October 2021, students in Loudoun County staged a walkout in protest of school district bathroom policies, and the school district was accused of covering up the allegations. 

How the Media Covered it: Right-rated sources covered the news much more prominently, often focusing on outraged parents and framing the indictment as evidence that "woke" school districts are willing to cover up crimes committed by LGBTQ+ students. Few left- and center-rated sources reported on the news. The Washington Post reported that the bathroom policy in question "did not go into effect until months after the assault, and there is no evidence the male assailant is transgender."