Anti-Slapp law plays role in backing Va. teacher and parent targeted by false online accusations

By: Nathaniel Cline

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: August 3, 2026

Words: 802

Last Updated: 10 hours, 42 minutes ago

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A Northern Virginia court in June rejected social media efforts to damage the reputation of a teacher and parent, awarding them more than $1 million in combined damages.

Robert Rigby Jr., a longtime educator and advocate for LGBTQ+ students, said after the leader of conservative political action committee Virginia Project posted unfounded accusations that he was a child sex predator online, his students’ interest in the Latin course he teaches wavered.

“When rumors started …

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