Florida Republican Party Chair Christian Ziegler Cleared of Sexual Assault Allegations, Faces Voyeurism Charges

The latest political news in the United States involves the former chair of the Florida Republican Party, Christian Ziegler. Ziegler, who was removed from his position earlier this month, was cleared of sexual assault charges on January 19, 2024, according to a report by CBS News. However, investigators have determined that there is enough evidence to recommend felony video voyeurism charges against him.

The alleged incident took place on October 2, 2023, at a Sarasota, Florida, home. According to the CBS News report, the “sexual encounter” between Ziegler and the alleged victim was recorded on Ziegler’s cell phone. The investigators determined that the encounter was likely consensual, but the woman was unaware that she was being recorded without her consent.

The woman reported the incident to the Sarasota Police Department, leading to an investigation that included nearly a dozen interviews and several hours of surveillance footage. The sexual assault allegations against Ziegler surfaced in November, and he was suspended from his position in December before being voted out earlier this month. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, and other Republican leaders had called on Ziegler to step down, according to the Associated Press.

The Trident, a nonprofit organization focusing on government accountability, reported that the woman, Ziegler, and Ziegler’s wife, Bridget Ziegler, have been involved in a three-year-long three-way sexual relationship. The events being investigated allegedly took place while Christian Ziegler and the woman were alone at the woman’s home. Bridget Ziegler is a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a far-right group that identifies as a parental rights advocate and tries to elect right-wing candidates to school boards. The group opposes references to race or LGBTQ identity in the classroom and has called for books on gender or sexuality to be removed from school libraries.

Faris Tanyos, a news editor for CBSNews.com, wrote the report. Tanyos previously worked as a digital news producer at several local news stations up and down the West Coast. The report was first published on January 19, 2024, and CBS Interactive Inc. holds the copyright.

The investigation into the allegations against Christian Ziegler began after a woman reported to the Sarasota Police Department that she, Ziegler, and his wife had been involved in a three-way sexual relationship. The woman alleged that the events being investigated took place while she and Ziegler were alone at her home. The Trident, a nonprofit organization focusing on government accountability, reported the allegations, citing sources close to the investigation.

The woman’s allegations against Christian Ziegler led to his removal from his position as chair of the Florida Republican Party earlier this month. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, and other Republican leaders called on Ziegler to step down, according to the Associated Press.

The investigation into the allegations against Christian Ziegler included nearly a dozen interviews and several hours of surveillance footage. The Sarasota Police Department reported that the “sexual encounter” between Ziegler and the alleged victim was recorded on Ziegler’s cell phone. Based on the video evidence, investigators determined that the encounter was likely consensual. However, the woman was unaware that she was being recorded without her consent, leading to the recommendation of felony voyeurism charges against Ziegler.

Christian Ziegler’s wife, Bridget Ziegler, is a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a far-right group that identifies as a parental rights advocate and tries to elect right-wing candidates to school boards. The group opposes references to race or LGBTQ identity in the classroom and has called for books on gender or sexuality to be removed from school libraries.

The allegations against Christian Ziegler have caused a stir in Florida politics, with many calling for transparency and accountability. The investigation into the allegations is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. However, one thing is clear: the allegations have shaken the Florida Republican Party and raised questions about the behavior of its leaders.

In conclusion, the former chair of the Florida Republican Party, Christian Ziegler, was cleared of sexual assault charges but faces felony video voyeurism charges. The allegations against him came to light after a woman reported to the Sarasota Police Department that she, Ziegler, and his wife had been involved in a three-way sexual relationship, and that the events being investigated took place while she and Ziegler were alone at her home. The investigation into the allegations included nearly a dozen interviews and several hours of surveillance footage, leading to the recommendation of felony voyeurism charges against Ziegler. The outcome of the investigation remains to be seen, but it has caused a stir in Florida politics and raised questions about the behavior of the state’s political leaders.