A delegate to Congress has asked police to investigate after racy photos of her turned up online — and she said they had been “illegally obtained” from her accounts.
Delegate Stacey Plaskett, the nonvoting member of Congress from the U.S. Virgin Islands, said Thursday that the “theft and distribution of these personal images via the internet marks a new low in Virgin Islands politics.”
One of the photos circulated was of a topless woman that resembled the first-term congresswoman. She said the photos included “private” ones she shared with her husband, “as well as a private playful video of our family, including one of our children.”
“I am shocked and deeply saddened that someone would stoop to such a level as to invade my marriage and the love of my family in an attempt to besmirch me politically,” Mrs. Plaskett said in a statement.
Mrs. Plaskett, 52, who won her seat in 2014, is running for re-election against St. Thomas businessman Gordon Ackley and Ronald Russell.
Mr. Ackley released a statement, saying, “Our children and grandchildren should be able to look up to those in public office as role models.”
“It is deeply unfortunate when those entrusted to serve our community engage in a manner that poorly reflects upon the Virgin Islands,” he said. “I have always tried to conduct myself in an honorable manner and to provide a positive influence for the next generation of Virgin Islanders.”
The delegate’s office said it is working with U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI.
She said the episode shows “that there are some people who will go to any length to degrade a woman who refuses to play their games and will try to besmirch my good name by any means necessary.”
“I have a message for the criminals who perpetrated these heinous acts: I will not go away. I know the people of our Virgin Islands are disgusted by individuals who would try to destroy families for political gain,” she said.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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