Ex-Dem. official arrested in sex abuse case

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — A former Democratic Party official released from prison after his child molestation convictions were overturned has been arrested in a separate case involving a family member.

Falls Church police say 50-year-old Michael Gardner was arrested Wednesday on two felony counts of child sexual battery.

Gardner’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call for comment.

Police say a relative of Gardner’s reported that he sexually abused her in 2009 when she under 13. Police say the girl came forward after Gardner was released from prison over the summer.

Gardner was released after the Virginia Supreme Court overturned his 2011 conviction of molesting two girls who attended a slumber party for his daughter’s 10th birthday.

Gardner had been chairman of the Democratic committee in Falls Church and his wife is a former mayor.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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