Father Of Alleged Sexual Assault Victim Demands Apology From NSBA

Scott Smith, the father of an alleged sexual assault victim from Loudoun County Public Schools, is demanding an apology and retraction from the National School Boards Association (NSBA) for writing a letter he claims described him as a “domestic terrorist.”

In a press release from the law firm representing the Smith family, their attorneys stated:

In its September 29 letter to President Joe Biden, the NSBA characterized Scott Smith, father of the sexual assault victim, and other parents attending school board meetings to voice opposition to policies as “domestic terrorists.” 

The press release went on to note that the “NSBA went so far as to ask for federal law enforcement assistance for ‘enforceable actions against these crimes and acts of violence under…the PATRIOT Act in regards to domestic terrorism’ as well as other federal criminal statutes.”

The legal group added that the letter branded Smith as a “domestic terrorist,” and “specifically cited Mr. Smith’s arrest at a meeting of the Loudoun County School Board.”

In a letter to Dr. Viola Garcia, the president of the NSBA, and CEO Chip Slaven, the family’s attorney noted, “Despite your factual assertions to the contrary, Scott Smith is not a domestic terrorist, and your statements contained in your September 29 letter were defamatory per se, and have impugned the good character of Mr. Smith.”

The attorney also explained:

Most notably, your letter stated that “[i]n Virginia, an individual was arrested, another man was ticketed for trespassing, and a third person was hurt during a school board meeting discussion distinguishing current curricula from critical race theory and regarding equity issues.” Your letter then cited a news source in its footnote number 13 (NBC4: “The Meeting Has Degenerated”: 1 Arrest, 1 Injury at Loudoun School Board Meeting on Equity”), which reported the arrest of my client, Scott T. Smith for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without force at that meeting.

The group’s press release noted that on October 22nd, the NSBA reportedly distributed a memorandum to its members apologizing for the letter, saying “there was no justification for some of the language included in the letter.” 

However, “[t]he NSBA’s memo on Friday did not include any specific apology to Mr. Smith for labeling him and other parents ‘domestic terrorists,’” noted Bill Stanley, attorney for the Smith family, in the release. “Today, Mr. Smith seeks that apology.” 

In the release, Smith stated, “I am a father who cares deeply for his daughter, who would go to the

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