Ex-Florida GOP Chair Not Charged With Sexual Assault

Christian Ziegler sexual assault charges


The allegations sparked an outcry within the state’s conservative community, with critics accusing Ziegler and his wife, a Moms for Liberty co-founder, of hypocrisy

Ousted Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler will not be charged with sexual battery, according to a statement released by the Sarasota Police Department. After reviewing a video of a sexual encounter between Ziegler and an unnamed woman who later accused him of rape, authorities determined that the encounter was “ likely consensual.

However, investigators prepared a probable cause affidavit to the Sarasota County state attorney’s office for video voyeurism, a third-degree felony. “After conducting an additional follow-up interview with the victim and after showing the victim the video recording of the sex act, the victim advised Sarasota Police detectives that she was unaware and did not consent to being video recorded,” the police statement read.

In late November, Ziegler was accused of sexually assaulting a woman involved in a sexual relationship between himself and his wife. According to a police complaint obtained by The Florida Trident, and sources who spoke to the outlet, the woman accused Ziegler of raping her on Oct. 2, 2023, while the pair were alone in her home in Sarasota, Florida. The woman told police that she and the couple had planned to meet again but that she backed out after learning that his wife, Bridget Ziegler, would not make it. Christian Ziegler showed up at her residence alone and assaulted her, the woman alleged.

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Christian Ziegler admitted to police that the two had had sex, but denied the allegations of assault.

In early January, the Florida Republican Party booted Ziegler from his leadership position as authorities investigated the allegations. The accusations also lead to a professional fallout for his wife, who is a  co-founder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty. The Zieglers have advocated for some of the state’s harshest anti-LGBTQ laws and revelations of their sexual proclivities drew backlash from conservative groups, with many accusing the couple of hypocrisy.



Source link: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/christian-ziegler-wont-be-charged-sexual-assault-florida-1234950366/

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