Report: Falls Church Man Allegedly Asked About Hiring Hit Man for Girls

PHOTO: Michael Gardner 2014 photo courtesy of Falls Church Police

_______________

A Falls Church man facing a new trial on charges he molested girls at a slumber party at his home several years ago allegedly asked a fellow inmate about hiring a hit man to kill the child witnesses, the Washington Post reported Thursday.

WUSA-9 first reported the allegations Wednesday about Michael Gardner, a former leader in local Democratic party circles and husband of a former City of Falls Church mayor and council member, who is awaiting trial. The new allegations came to light at a pre-trial hearing.

Gardner was originally convicted and sentenced, in 2012, to 22 years in prison for molesting two girls who attended his daughter’s birthday party. Gardner was released from jail in June after the Virginia Supreme Court threw out the previous conviction; he will be retried on those charges.

A March 4 trial concerns an unnamed relative of Gardner.

Loudoun County Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Nicole Wittmann told news organizations about the alleged ”hit man” incident and said she did not know whether anyone had tried to contact a hit man.

A hearing is set for Monday to see if the new allegations will be admitted at any upcoming trials.