Gardner’s Alleged Victims Testify in Court About Events at Two Separate Sleepovers

3:33 p.m.

The three young girls whom allege they were touched by Michael A. Gardner in a sexual way testified before Judge Esther Wiggins this afternoon. The case will be heard next by a grand jury on July 21 at 9:30 a.m.

The first young lady to speak, who was 9-years-old, said “I woke up to somebody over me.” She said Gardner was the person she saw over her when she was awaken from her sleep during a slumber party at Gardner’s home on June 18. She said Gardner first touched around her “girl parts” and gave further graphic details about that evening.

The two other young ladies, both 10-years-old, said they were also touched by Gardner, one during the June 18 sleepover and another during a separate sleepover on June 16.

The young lady who slept at the Gardner’s home on June 16 said she was in the same room as Gardner’s 10-year-old daughter.

After hearing Gardner allegedly touched the young lady while his daughter was in the same room, Wiggins denied Gardner’s attorney Peter Greenspun’s, of Greenspun Shapiro Davis & Leary P.C., request to allow his client to see his children. Gardner has not been able to see his children since the investigation into allegations he touched the three young ladies began.

Gardner walked into court with his attorney and was later joined by his wife inside.

Read more later tonight on FallsChurch.Patch.com!

1:25 p.m.

Judge Esther Wiggins re-opened the courtroom to the public to hear testimony from the three victims, two whom are 10-years-old and another that’s 9-years-old.

12:49 p.m.

Judge Esther Wiggins ordered the courtroom cleared at about 12:30 this afternoon. Michael A. Gardner arrived with his wife and current City Council member, Robin, and his attorney.

The judge ordered the court closed because children witnesses are supposed to speak during this preliminary hearing.

Gardner, who served as chairman of the Falls Church City Democratic Committee from 2006 to 2007, , according to records from Arlington Circuit Court following an alleged sleepover at his home on June 18. Arlington County Sheriff Chief Deputy Paul Larson said Gardner was released from the Arlington County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond. The alleged victims, 10 and 9-years-old, identified Gardner as the person who sexually assaulted them in the basement of his Falls Church home during an alleged sleepover for Gardner’s daughter, according to court records. City of Falls Church Police charged Gardner on June 22.