Tampa, Florida (W.F.L.A.) – Embattled Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler is under investigation for video voyeurism. He claims he raped the woman.according to court documents.
Ziegler The documents say the man recorded himself having sex with the woman who accused him of rape.
Sarasota police sought access to Ziegler's Instagram account and cell phone videos, according to a search warrant.
Ziegler allegedly sent a text message to the woman accused of rape, telling her to check her Instagram messages, in which he sent her a copy of the video in “vanish mode.” Content sent in this way disappears when the user leaves the chat or turns off the feature.
According to court documents, Ziegler and his attorney showed Sarasota police detectives a video of the sex act to prove that the sex was consensual.
Attorney Bryant Camareno, who is not involved in the case, said the video could be evidence of other crimes.
“I think No. 1 could show that the sexual act was consensual,” he said. “No. Two, it might show she knew she was being recorded, but three, if he sent it to her for the purpose of harassing her, that's a different crime.” , which could be cyberstalking.”
Camareno said the video could help with Ziegler's rape charge, even though it could be used as evidence in other crimes.
“I think the attorney did the right thing,” Camareno said. “He may have opened another Pandora's box by providing information or providing evidence that he may have committed another crime, but the third-degree felony charge of video voyeurism is , it's much better than a sexual assault allegation, because that's a first-degree felony. You're going to go to jail.”
So far, Ziegler has refused to resign as chairman of the Florida Republican Party. In December, Ziegler be stripped of all responsibilities And the salary was reduced to $1. The state executive committee will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to dismiss him.
his wife, Bridget Zieglera staunch conservative who helped found the group.moms for liberty'' also admitted that they had sex with the woman who is accusing her husband of rape.
Ziegler and Mom's For Liberty have spoken out against any books with LGBTQ themes, but so far she has refused to resign from her position on the Sarasota County School Board. There is.
The Sarasota Republican on Tuesday declined to discuss new information contained in court documents about a sex video shot by Christian Ziegler.
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