Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler is being investigated for video voyeurism in addition to a previous rape allegation. The police are examining whether Ziegler secretly recorded a sexual encounter with a woman who has accused him of rape. Ziegler, who has not been charged, claims the encounter was consensual and has shown a video of the incident to detectives. The investigation is ongoing, and video voyeurism is considered a third-degree felony in Florida.
Christian Ziegler, the suspended Florida GOP chairman, was recorded in police-controlled calls with his rape accuser, where he offered her money and repeatedly changed the subject to his haircut. Ziegler confirmed a past intimate encounter but denied any sexual misconduct. The Florida Republican Party has censured him, reducing his salary to $1 while retaining his title. The investigation also includes allegations of "video voyeurism" for possibly uploading images of the alleged rape. No criminal charges have been filed against Ziegler as the investigation continues, and the Florida GOP's executive board is set to vote on his removal as party chairman.
Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler is under investigation for video voyeurism amidst allegations of rape involving a woman who was previously involved with him and his wife in a sexual encounter. Despite Ziegler's claim that the encounter was consensual and his presentation of a video as evidence, the woman has stated she did not consent to being recorded. The investigation has tarnished the Zieglers' reputation as conservative family values advocates, leading to professional and political repercussions, including the loss of Bridget Ziegler's job and calls for her resignation from the Sarasota County School Board, as well as Christian Ziegler's potential ousting from his GOP role.
Christian Ziegler, the Florida GOP Chair, is under investigation for rape and is now also being investigated for potentially filming the alleged sexual encounter without consent, which could constitute video voyeurism. The Sarasota Police have requested a search warrant from Instagram's parent company, Meta, as part of the investigation. The victim has stated she did not give permission for the video to be taken. Following these allegations, Ziegler has been suspended by the Florida Republican Party, and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, has faced calls for resignation from her position on the Sarasota school board and distancing from the political group Moms for Liberty.
Christian Ziegler, the Chair of the Republican Party of Florida, has been suspended and faces a salary reduction amid rape accusations. The state GOP committee plans to convene on January 8th to formally remove Ziegler and appoint a successor. Vice Chair Evan Power has expressed interest in assuming the leadership role. Additionally, the article recaps the top five political stories from Florida in 2023.
