Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Sunday issued a pardon for Scott Smith, a Loudoun County father who was convicted of disorderly conduct after a heated confrontation at a public school board meeting, which he attended “as a concerned parent” after his daughter was sexually assaulted in the school bathroom, the Hill reports. “Upon careful deliberation and review of the circumstances of the matter, I have decided it is just and appropriate to grant this absolute pardon that reflects Scott Thomas Smith’s factual innocence of disorderly conduct,” the pardon read. Smith was convicted of obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct in June 2021 after police intervened at a school board meeting. The obstruction of justice conviction was dismissed on appeal, and the disorderly conduct conviction was reportedly set for trial this month.
“I want to thank Governor Youngkin for his declaration that I am innocent, and for his absolute and unconditional pardon,” Smith said. “While I was extremely confident in my lawyers’ abilities to defend me in court, I am grateful that the Governor recognizes that our justice system has been both weaponized and politicized to the point where my ability to receive a fair trial was in jeopardy.” The case attracted national attention in the height of the pandemic, as a push for “parents’ rights” gained momentum and public school board meetings became a breeding ground for heated controversy. Evolving school policies on gender identity and bathrooms also played a significant role in stirring up consternation among parents. Smith has maintained that he attended the school board meeting with no intention of speaking and did not in fact speak but was confronted by a community member who “threatened to spread false and malicious information about Mr. Smith’s business with the intent to damage his reputation,” the pardon read. The pardon said Smith “has been publicly and falsely accused of ‘domestic terrorism’ and ‘hate crimes’ for attempting to advocate for his daughter, a victim of violent sexual assault.” The student who assaulted his daughter was convicted in 2021.