Former Florida GOP Chair Faces Charges of Video Voyeurism Following Investigation
In a shocking turn of events, the former chair of the Florida Republican Party, Christian Ziegler, will not be charged with sexually assaulting a woman. However, authorities have announced their intention to charge him with video voyeurism. The Sarasota Police Department made this announcement on Friday, bringing an end to a lengthy investigation into the alleged sexual battery.
The investigation began in October after a woman accused Ziegler of raping her at her apartment. The woman claimed that she had canceled a three-way sexual encounter with Ziegler and his wife, Bridget. Bridget Ziegler is a Sarasota County School Board member and co-founder of the conservative parental rights group Moms for Liberty. The allegations against Christian Ziegler sent shockwaves through the community and led to his removal as Florida GOP chairman earlier this month.
After an extensive investigation, the Sarasota Police Department concluded that the sexual encounter between Ziegler and the woman was “likely consensual.” They discovered video evidence that showed Ziegler recorded the encounter on his cell phone. However, detectives determined that the encounter appeared consensual and did not provide enough evidence to charge Ziegler with sexual battery.
Nevertheless, the investigation revealed that the video was recorded without the woman’s consent, leading to a potential charge of video voyeurism. In Florida, recording a sexual encounter without consent is considered a third-degree felony. The case has now been handed over to the state attorney’s office for review.
“We will immediately begin to review their investigative findings. Our review will be thorough, and we will release our investigative findings as soon as possible,” stated Sarasota State Attorney Ed Brodsky in response to the case.
Christian Ziegler’s attorney, Derek Byrd, expressed concern over his client’s reputation and professional life, stating that they have suffered “irreparable harm.” Byrd criticized the rush to judgment before a thorough investigation had been completed and called it unfair and unfortunate. However, he expressed confidence that the state attorney would not prosecute Ziegler for any crime.
During interviews with investigators, Ziegler maintained that the sexual encounter was consensual. Additionally, his wife, Bridget Ziegler, disclosed an alleged previous three-way rendezvous with the woman who accused her husband of rape. While Christian Ziegler faces potential charges, Bridget Ziegler has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing. Nonetheless, she continues to face calls to step down from her position on the Sarasota County School Board.
The news of this investigation, initially reported by the Florida Center for Government Accountability, sparked an immediate backlash. Many called for the Zieglers to resign from their high-profile positions. Christian Ziegler’s removal as Florida GOP chairman was a direct result of these allegations and the subsequent investigation.
As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the state attorney’s office. The public is eager to see how they will handle the charges of video voyeurism against Christian Ziegler. Meanwhile, Bridget Ziegler must grapple with ongoing calls for her resignation from the Sarasota County School Board. The implications of this case reach far beyond the individuals involved, raising questions about power, consent, and accountability in positions of authority.
