Florida GOP chair dodges sexual assault charges but faces video voyeurism probe: report

Former Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler will not be charged with rape, but Sarasota Police have asked state's attorney general to look into allegations of video voyeurism, the Herald-Tribune reported.

Police decided not to file charges after they viewed a video Ziegler made of a sexual encounter.

"The video showed that the encounter was likely consensual," police said in a press release this Friday. "Therefore, detectives were unable to develop probable cause to charge Ziegler with Sexual Battery."

However, the video sparked a voyeurism investigation after the alleged victim said she did not consent to being recorded.

Also read: 'They failed': Freedom Caucus member blames Trump and GOP for border crisis

"On January 19^th, 2024, the investigators prepared a probable cause affidavit for the felony crime of Video Voyeurism against Christian Ziegler," police said. "This affidavit was subsequently sent to the State Attorney’s Office."

From the Herald-Tribune: "The allegation stems from a planned three-way sexual encounter between Ziegler, the alleged victim and Ziegler's wife, Sarasota County School Board member and Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler. According to police affidavits, Bridget Ziegler couldn't attend but Christian Ziegler showed up at the alleged victim's apartment anyway, which is when the alleged assault occurred. The alleged victim told her sister she was raped. She was treated at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where a rape kit was administered. She said Christian Ziegler did not use a condom, according to a police affidavit."

Read the full report over at the Herald-Tribune.