The charges sparked an outcry in the state's conservative community, with critics accusing Ziegler and his wife, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, of hypocrisy.
Deposed President of Florida Christian Ziegler will not be charged with sexual assault, according to a statement released by the Sarasota Police Department. After reviewing a video of a sexual encounter between Ziegler and an unnamed woman who later accused him of rape, authorities determined that the encounter was “ likely unanimous.“
However, investigators prepared a probable cause affidavit with the Sarasota County District Attorney's office for video surveillance, a third-degree felony. “After an additional follow-up interview with the victim and after showing the victim the video of the sexual act, the victim advised Sarasota PD detectives that he did not know and did not consent to being videotaped,” the police statement said.
In late November, Ziegler was charged with sexually assaulting a woman involved in a sexual relationship between him and his wife. According to a police complaint received The Florida Trinity, and sources who spoke to the show, the woman accused Ziegler of raping her on October 2, 2023, while the couple was alone at her home in Sarasota, Florida. The woman told police that she and the couple had planned to meet again, but backed out after learning that his wife, Bridget Ziegler, would not be able to make it. Christian Ziegler showed up alone at her residence and assaulted her, the woman said.
Christian Ziegler admitted to police that the two had sex, but denied allegations of assault.
In early January, the Florida Republican Party removed Ziegler from his leadership position as authorities investigated the allegations. The accusations also lead to professional consequences for his wife, who co-founded the conservative group Moms for Liberty. The Zieglers have supported some of the state's harshest anti-LGBTQ laws, and revelations about their sexual orientation drew backlash from conservative groups, with many accusing the couple of hypocrisy.
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/christian-ziegler-wont-be-charged-sexual-assault-florida-1234950366/