‘Private’ video of Virgin Islands Democratic delegate posted online

By JOHN BRESNAHAN and ALEX ISENSTADT
A “private” videotape of the Virgin Islands’ delegate to Congress, Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett, which showed her husband naked and wearing makeup, was posted online Wednesday night but later removed, the freshman lawmaker said in a statement Thursday.
A topless “selfie” of Plaskett also was being circulated.

Plaskett said in the statement that her computer had been hacked and someone copied personal “photographs and a private family video” of her and her husband, Jonathan Buckney-Small.
The video shows a naked Buckney-Small wearing makeup as Plaskett films it, according to news reports and sources who have seen the recording. Plaskett is heard speaking to her husband in the recording. One of the couple’s childen makes an appearance in the video as well, according to the statement.
The video was initially described to POLITICO as a “sex tape,” but Plaskett aides disputed that characterization of the recording. A Virgin Islands news organization described it as a “bizarre video.”
After being contacted by the media, Plaskett released a statement acknowledging the video and photos were real. She said her political enemies were behind the incident.
“The theft and distribution of these personal images via the internet marks a new low in Virgin Islands politics. 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,” Plaskett said.
“Private photographs shared between my husband and me, as well as a private playful video of our family, including one of our children, were illegally obtained and disseminated via the internet. To say my family and I are greatly upset would be a tremendous understatement,” Plaskett added. “As a mother I am outraged that one of my children was exploited in such a way. The theft and dissemination of these images via the internet is a shockingly disgusting invasion of my family’s and my privacy – not to mention criminal acts in violation of both territorial and federal law.”
Plaskett’s aides said they had contacted the FBI and U.S. Capitol Police to report the computer hack.
“Our office is currently working with the Capitol Police and the FBI and I can confirm that an active investigation is underway to find out who committed this crime and anyone else who may have been involved,” said Jerome Murray, Plaskett’s chief of staff.
Gordon Ackley, a Republican who is running for delegate, denounced Plaskett’s behavior.
“It is deeply unfortunate when those entrusted to serve our community engage in a manner that poorly reflects up on the Virgin Islands,” Ackley said in a statement. “I have always tried to conduct myself in an honorable manner and to provide a positive influence for the next generation of Virgin Islanders.”
Plaskett is a lawyer and former congressional staffer who won her seat in Nov. 2014.
Plaskett was born in Brooklyn to parents from St. Croix in the Virigin Islands. In addition to her work for the House Ethics Committee, Plaskett served in the Justice Department and Bronx district attorney’s office.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/stacey-plaskett-sex-tape-225951#ixzz4F4qsb0RQ
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