Susanna Gibson Payne, a former candidate for the Virginia state legislature, was taken into custody on a domestic violence charge recently. The incident has drawn significant attention, especially following previous controversies surrounding the leaking of her intimate online videos featuring her husband.
The 42-year-old was arrested for “assault and battery – family member” in Henrico County on September 22. She was subsequently released after surrendering to the authorities.
Gibson claims that the charges stem from false allegations made by her estranged spouse, 44-year-old John David Gibson, who she alleges has been harassing her since she initiated divorce proceedings.
“Following an incident during a custody exchange in June 2025—where my estranged husband, who has been arrested three times since my divorce filing, became aggressive—I was met with a retaliatory criminal complaint against me,” described Gibson. “Just over three months later, a misdemeanor warrant was issued for my arrest, which I promptly addressed.”
Records indicate that John Gibson was previously arrested multiple times in December for breaching a protective order, as well as extortion and making threatening statements. These arrests occurred shortly after Susanna filed for a protective order against him, citing “family abuse,” which was granted the subsequent month.
John Gibson has not publicly commented on the latest developments. His estranged wife is recognized as a Democratic candidate who had aimed to secure a Richmond delegate position in the 2023 state elections, when private video footage of her intimate moments with her husband was released by Republican operatives.
The nurse had recorded these explicit videos on the live-streaming adult platform Chaturbate, which were saved offsite without her knowledge and later distributed to the press.
She has also faced accusations of monetizing her performances, which contradicted the platform’s policies—a point she firmly denies, claiming that the videos were solely to satisfy her husband’s fantasy.
Despite the scandal, Gibson remained resolute and continued her political campaign. “This won’t intimidate or silence me,” she asserted, arguing that the leak violated Virginia’s revenge porn laws and constituted a form of sexual abuse.
She further stated, “My political adversaries and their Republican associates have demonstrated their willingness to commit a sexual crime to suppress me and my family, revealing no bounds to silence women when they voice their concerns.”
Ultimately, she lost the election, but by a narrow margin of less than 1,000 votes.
In the wake of these events, she has committed to addressing issues related to gender-based and sexual violence, founding “MyOwn Image,” an organization focused on updating online privacy legislation, arguing that current laws have not kept pace with the digital realm.
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In a conversation with Politico, Gibson expressed, “I have undergone a fundamental transformation both personally and professionally. A political operative exposed explicit videos of a young female candidate that she was entirely unaware existed, seeking to distribute them among media outlets to humiliate and intimidate her.”
As news of her recent arrest surfaced, Gibson reiterated her belief in the need for systemic reform, stating, “Survivors require a legal system that acknowledges the dynamics of abuse and prioritizes their safety, rather than one that permits abusers to misuse the law for ongoing control. As a mother and a survivor of domestic violence, I navigate a system that frequently penalizes those seeking safety.”
