Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler is under criminal investigation after a sexual battery complaint was filed against him with the Sarasota Police Department.
The woman making the accusations against Ziegler reportedly had a “three-year three-way sexual relationship” with the Florida GOP chairman and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, who founded the parents’ rights group Moms for Liberty, according to Florida. Trident – the journalism arm of the Florida Center for Government Accountability watchdog group.
“We acknowledge reports that there is an investigation being conducted by the Sarasota Police Department regarding Mr. Ziegler,” Derek Byrd, an attorney for Ziegler, told The Post in a statement.
“Mr. Ziegler has fully cooperated with every request made by the Sarasota Police Department. We are confident when the police investigation is concluded that no charges will be filed and Mr. Ziegler will be fully exonerated,” Byrd added.
Christian Ziegler is being investigated for sexual misconduct by the Sarasota Police Department. SOPA image
The alleged sexual battery occurred on Oct. 2 and was reported to police two days later, a heavily redacted police report on the incident states.
“Rape,” “sexual assault,” and “sexually assaulted” were among several words that were not redacted in the 14-page report.
Ziegler’s lawyer suggested that the accusations were false, and could have been made for “political purposes or financial gain.”
“Unfortunately, civilians are often accused of doing things they did not do either for political purposes or financial gain. I would caution anyone against rushing to a decision until the investigation is complete. Out of respect for the investigation, this is all Mr. Ziegler or myself can say at this time,” Byrd said.
Ziegler, who is married, was reportedly involved in a three-way relationship with his wife and his accuser. SOPA image
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried, who lost the Sunshine State’s 2022 gubernatorial race to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, called on Ziegler to resign Thursday.
“Allegations of rape and sexual battery are serious and should be taken seriously,” Fried said in a statement. “I applaud the courage of the accusers to come forward against a powerful political figure like Christian Ziegler, and I trust that the Sarasota Police Department will conduct a thorough investigation into this alleged criminal behavior.
“Christian Ziegler cannot continue to lead the Florida GOP under these circumstances. Given the seriousness of the criminal allegations, I call for his immediate resignation,” he added.
Fried went on to blast the Zieglers for their alleged involvement in a three-way fight, accusing the political power couple of being “hypocritical.”
“As for the more salacious allegations — what goes on behind closed doors is Christian and Bridget’s private business. Even so, I find it interesting that two people who are so obsessed with banning books about gay penguins might be involved in a non-traditional sexual relationship,” Fried said.
“As a leader in the Florida GOP and Moms for Liberty, Ziegler has made a habit of attacking anything they deem to be against ‘family values’ — whether it’s reproductive rights or the existence of LGBTQ+ Floridians. The level of hypocrisy in this situation is amazing.”
Christian Ziegler and the Florida Republican Party did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
