Christian Ziegler, the chairman of Florida’s Republican party, is under investigation for sexual battery, a potential political bombshell in a state that Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis call home.
According to heavily redacted police department documents, Ziegler is mentioned in the context of an “active criminal investigation” after an individual reported being “sexually battered” at home in Sarasota on 2 October.
The detective’s report mentions a “sexual assault allegation” and “sexual assault complaint” but almost no other information. Only five words survive the redactions: “stated … raped … stated that … raped”.
Ziegler’s attorney, Derek Byrd, said he was confident his client “will be completely exonerated” and said he had been “fully cooperative with every request made by the Sarasota police department”.
The police report containing the allegations was first brought to light by Florida Center for Government Accountability’s Florida Trident publication, which says police seized Ziegler’s cellphone and “investigators continue to conduct a forensic examination of the electronic device”, citing only anonymous sources.
Sources told the publication that the woman accusing Ziegler “alleged that she and both Zieglers had been involved in a longstanding consensual three-way sexual relationship prior to the incident” and that the incident occurred when Ziegler and the woman were alone at the woman’s house. Ziegler hasn’t been charged with any crime.
His lawyer, Derek Byrd, said in a statement that his client has been “fully cooperative” with authorities. “Unfortunately, public figures are often accused of acts that they did not commit whether it be for political purposes or financial gain.
I would caution anyone to rush to judgment until the investigation is concluded,”. Governor Ron DeSantis says state Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler should resign while police investigate a rape allegation against him. Ziegler hasn’t been charged, but the investigation comes as the 2024 election heats up.
DeSantis is running for president, and the state GOP is working to reelect U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. Florida was also key to Republicans winning a slim majority in the U.S. House in 2022, and the party will be defending the newly won seats.
