Ferran M. Ebenhack/Associated Press
Then-Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler addresses attendees at the Florida Republican Freedom Summit on Saturday, November 4, 2023 in Kissimmee, Florida.
CNN
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The former chairman of the Florida Republican Party will not be charged with video voyeurism, according to the Sarasota County, Florida, state's attorney's office.
Christian Ziegler was ousted as state party leader earlier this year amid an investigation into rape allegations made by a woman. Although authorities rejected charges of sexual assault against Ziegler and concluded that the video of the sexual encounter was “likely to have been consensual,” authorities in January made the act illegal. announced that it would seek to prosecute Mr. Ziegler for recording the video.
In a memo obtained by CNN, prosecutors said they would no longer pursue video voyeurism charges against Ziegler after finding inconsistencies in the woman's statements.
“Because the victim has expressed that she cannot remember whether she consented to having her sexual acts recorded, and because there are discrepancies regarding key details of the case, the State believes that the video in question does not reflect her knowledge or consent. “We are unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the photo was taken without incident. Therefore, no charges will be filed,” the memo states.
Ziegler's attorney said his client is “relieved that he is finally cleared of false allegations and criminal activity.”
“We cooperated at every step of the investigation and, although difficult, we remained silent out of respect for the investigation,” attorney Derek Byrd said. “On day one, we said Mr. Ziegler is completely innocent. We asked everyone not to rush to judgment and reminded everyone to follow the constitutional instructions and presume Mr. Ziegler innocent.” Unfortunately, many people did not extend that courtesy to Mr. Ziegler and damaged his family, career, and reputation through this process.”
In October, Ziegler was accused of raping the woman after she canceled a three-way relationship with him and his wife, Bridget, a Sarasota County school board member and co-founder of the conservative parents' rights group Moms. became the subject of an investigation. For Liberty.
Sarasota police concluded in January that after reviewing video of the sexual encounter recorded on Ziegler's cell phone, it was “likely consensual.” According to police, when interviewed, the woman was shown the video and stated that she did not consent to the recording. In Florida, videotaping a sexual act without consent is a third-degree felony.
“The video shows that the cell phone was in the defendant's hands or on the bed where the sexual contact took place,” prosecutors wrote in a memo, adding that the recording “does not indicate any hidden device. “It doesn't seem like the photo was taken from a secret angle.” There was a tendency to indicate that the cell phone that recorded the video was hidden from the victim. ”
Prosecutors said the inconsistencies in the woman's story “appear to be the result of significant intoxication and trauma,” and that she never made any significant changes to her account or tried to force authorities to press charges. It pointed out.
News of the investigation was first reported by the Florida Government Accountability Center and immediately sparked a backlash. Some called for the Zieglers to step down from their key positions. Christian Ziegler refused and was voted out of his leadership role in January. Bridget Ziegler has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, but she continues to face calls for her resignation from the Sarasota County School Board.
