Share this @internewscast.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler will not face sexual battery charges, but prosecutors will consider whether to charge him with video voyeurism stemming from a months-long investigation, according to a statement from the Sarasota Police Department.

The investigation started after an Oct. 2 sexual encounter between Ziegler and an unnamed woman, who later alleged to police in a complaint that Ziegler “raped” her. After interviewing dozens of people and reviewing surveillance footage, the police department in Sarasota, where Ziegler lives, determined it was “unable to develop probable cause” for a charge of sexual battery.

Police did, however, send a probable cause affidavit to prosecutors for video voyeurism, a felony crime, because Ziegler allegedly taped the sexual encounter without the woman’s knowledge, the Sarasota police said.

“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,” according to the statement issued Friday by the Sarasota Police Department.

Ziegler attorney Derek Boyd said that since “day one, we have been confident Mr. Ziegler would be exonerated,” and he said the police “punted” to prosecutors the portion of the case that alleges unlawful videotaping of a sexual act.

“While we are disappointed that the Sarasota Police Department ‘punted’ the decision on the remaining portion of the case of the state attorney’s office, we strongly believe that the state attorney will not prosecute Mr. Ziegler for any crime,” Byrd said in a statement. 

The investigation, which was first reported by the Center for Government Accountability, sent shock waves through Florida Republican politics, leading to party officials to oust Ziegler as chair and install former vice chairman Evan Power as the new state GOP chairman.

Nearly every prominent Florida Republican, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, called on him to resign after news of the investigation broke, but Ziegler refused to do so. Ultimately, the state Republican Party had to hold a series of emergency meetings to reduce his power and then formally remove him as chairman earlier this month.

The investigation has also had fallout for Ziegler’s wife, Bridget, who herself is a well-known presence in conservative circles as a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a group that works to elect conservative women to school boards. 

According to search warrant affidavits obtained by NBC News, the Zieglers together allegedly had a previous sexual encounter with the woman who accused Christian Ziegler of rape. In addition to the legal investigation, the allegations led to backlash against Bridget Ziegler, who critics accused of hypocrisy over her focus on conservative policy issues including passing anti-LGBTQ laws. She helped author legislation championed by DeSantis that banned the talk of sexual orientation or gender identity in classrooms up to third grade.

She was facing no allegations of wrongdoing, but Bridget Ziegler resigned her post as vice president of school boards for the Leadership Institute, a national group that trains conservative activists, and has faced multiple calls for her to resign from the Sarasota County School Board.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
California clinic staffers seek to shield ICE agents from detaining Honduran landscaper

California Clinic Employees Strive to Protect Honduran Landscaper from ICE Detention

At a surgical center in California, staff members were recorded on video…
‘Skillhouse’ Star Bryce Hall On His New Horror Film, Social Media, And 50 Cent Controversy: “He Was Trying To Hold The Film Hostage For $5 Million”

‘Skillhouse’ Lead Bryce Hall Discusses New Horror Movie, Social Media, and 50 Cent Drama: “He Wanted $5 Million to Release the Film”

When considering influencers from content houses, Bryce Hall often comes to mind.…
Protesters and federal agents clash during raid at Southern California farm

Clash Erupts Between Protesters and Federal Agents During Southern California Farm Raid

A clash broke out on Thursday involving protesters and federal agents conducting…
Armed men in black tactical gear aboard a ship.

Houthis Stage a Fearsome Comeback in the Red Sea, Contradicting Trump’s Claim They ‘Don’t Want to Fight’

THE Houthis have mounted a terrifying return to scourge the Red Sea…
A Texas family clung to life on their roof, capturing the terrifying flooding in photos and video

Texas Family Documents Harrowing Flood Experience from Their Rooftop in Photos and Video

Jane Towler found herself awake in a small cabin by the Guadalupe…
'I couldn't stay silent anymore'

‘I Had to Speak Up’

Actor Derek Dixon from “The Oval” has stepped forward after filing a…
Zohran Mamdani’s campaign persona called into question by vote to give himself raise: critics

Critics Question Zohran Mamdani’s Authenticity After He Votes for His Own Pay Raise

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani approved a significant increase in his state…
UK man indicted in alleged $99M wine fraud scheme that left investors high and dry

UK Man Charged in $99 Million Wine Scam, Leaving Investors Empty-Handed

A man from the United Kingdom was arraigned Friday in Brooklyn federal…
Trump wants mass deportations, but US views of immigration are more positive since he took office

Trump Advocates for Mass Deportations, Yet American Opinions on Immigration Have Grown More Favorable Since His Presidency

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mere months after President Donald Trump’s return to office…
Man wrestling a crocodile.

Outrage as Influencer Colton Macaulay Recklessly Confronts Dangerous Crocodile in Viral Stunt

THIS is the shocking moment influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles a deadly croc,…
Drum Corps International: Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps preparing for home DCI performance at Benedictine University in Lisle

Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps Gears Up for DCI Show at Benedictine University in Lisle

LISLE, Ill. (WLS) — A local drum and bugle corps is making…
Naperville news today: Centennial Beach closed amid death investigation at 500 West Jackson Avenue, park district says

Naperville Update: Centennial Beach Closure During Investigation of Incident at 500 West Jackson Avenue, Reports Park District

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A west suburban beach is closed to the…