Police obtained video Republican Social gathering of Florida Chair Christian Ziegler took of a sexual encounter with a lady accusing him of rape.
Legislation enforcement sources described the tape to the Florida Center for Government Accountability, which broke information of the felony investigation, the video might complicate the case in opposition to Ziegler. That’s due to some key particulars that seem to dispute occasions as described by the Sarasota lady leveling accusations.
The video does verify some components of her account, together with that Ziegler had intercourse along with her over a bar stool in her condominium.
Investigation documents revealed the lady instructed police Ziegler and his spouse, Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, had organized a threesome the day of the encounter. However textual content messages present Christian Ziegler knowledgeable the lady by textual content that Bridget couldn’t make it, and the lady instructed him she was not . “Sorry I used to be largely in for her,” the lady texted. However surveillance cameras present Christian Ziegler confirmed up on the condominium advanced 5 minutes after that textual content anyway, and he admitted to police he had intercourse with the lady however claimed it was consensual.
New surveillance video, although, reportedly counters the lady’s declare that Christian Ziegler got here into the condominium solely after she opened the door whereas making an attempt to take her canine for a stroll. Sarasota Police now have video exhibiting he knocked and was allowed in, sources instructed the Florida Heart.
“The video of the intercourse act is temporary in period and the sufferer may be heard telling Ziegler to climax in her mouth fairly than on her new shirt,” the sources stated.
The character of the video might complicate prosecution, however important questions on consent stay.
In addition to the lady telling Christian Ziegler she was not concerned with assembly for a hookup, the accuser additionally instructed police she “was not in a spot to consent as a result of it was her time off and she or he had been ingesting Tequila all day,” based on a search warrant launched by police.
It’s additionally unclear if Ziegler had consent to movie the encounter on his cellular phone. Ziegler instructed police he initially deleted the video however later uploaded it to Google Drive. Police wanted the warrant to acquire the video from Google.
Information present communication between the lady and Christian Ziegler as effectively the place she tells him she was “not okay” with the encounter. “That was not cool and also you didn’t carry her after which did that to me,” she stated in a message to Ziegler at one level. She additionally stated she couldn’t work for a interval of weeks after the encounter. In recorded messages, she accused him of sexual assault and he denied that. In that dialog, he additionally supplied the lady monetary assist.
No matter whether or not he faces felony fees, the allegations largely upended the Zieglers political stature within the state and nation.
Bridget Ziegler, whereas not accused of against the law, has seen calls to resign from the Faculty Board, whereas Mothers For Liberty has issued statements distancing themselves from the couple. The Management Institute, a conservative suppose tank, has parted methods with Bridget Ziegler, who directed a nationwide Faculty Boards Program for the group.
In the meantime, the manager committee for the Republican Social gathering of Florida has taken steps towards doubtlessly expelling Christian Ziegler as state chair. Gov. Ron DeSantis, an in depth ally of the Zieglers, has referred to as for Christian Ziegler to step down, as have members of the Florida Cupboard and leaders of the Florida Legislature.
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