Ousted Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler was cleared of rape charges Friday by Sarasota police, but he recorded a “possibly consensual” sexual encounter with a woman he invited into a threesome with himself and his friend. However, there is still the possibility that he will be charged with a felony charge of video voyeurism. wife.
“After a lengthy investigation, Sarasota Police Detectives discovered video evidence of sexual contact between the victim and Christian Ziegler on October 2, 2023,” Sarasota Police Department said in a statement. did. stated in a statement.
“Mr. Ziegler recorded the encounter on his cell phone. The video showed that the encounter was likely consensual. Therefore, detectives believe there is a reasonable case to charge Ziegler with sexual battery.” The reason could not be revealed,” the official added.
Police said the victim told detectives that she was unaware of the incident and did not consent to being video recorded.
As a result, local police submitted a probable cause affidavit of felony video voyeurism against Mr. Ziegler to the State Attorney's Office for further investigation.
Video voyeurism is a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to five years in prison.
“From day one, we were confident that Mr. Ziegler would be exonerated of these baseless allegations,” Derek Byrd, Mr. Ziegler's attorney, said in a statement.
“He has been completely honest and candid and has fully cooperated with law enforcement at every step of this investigation,” it added. “While we are disappointed that the Sarasota Police Department has 'forced' decisions regarding the remainder of the case to the State Attorney's Office, we strongly believe that the State Attorney will not prosecute Mr. Ziegler for any crime.”
In November, report revealed Ziegler was under criminal investigation by Sarasota police after an unidentified woman accused him of raping her inside her home on Oct. 2, 2023, police said.
Now the former Sunshine State Republican leader is married to Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of the parental rights group Moms for Liberty and a Sarasota County school board member.
Bridget Ziegler admitted to investigators that more than a year ago, she and her husband had a consensual three-way relationship with the alleged victim, whom Christian Ziegler had known for 20 years. affidavit show.
According to the report, Christian Ziegler and the alleged victim had agreed to have another threesome on the day of the assault, but the other woman decided at the last minute after learning Brigitte Ziegler would not be able to participate. It was said that it was canceled.
According to the affidavit, the accuser texted Christian Ziegler, “I'm sorry.” “I almost liked her.”
Christian Ziegler then drove to the woman's apartment, intercepted her as she was walking her dog, and the two then had sex, according to court documents.
As a result of the allegations and criminal investigation, the Florida Republican Party formally expelled Christian Ziegler from his role as party leader during an emergency meeting earlier this month.
Ziegler did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
