The alleged rape victim of Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler told authorities he showed up at her home and assaulted her after she canceled plans to have sex with him and his wife, court documents show.
Sarasota police are investigating Christian Ziegler over allegations he raped a woman in her home on Oct. 2. Ziegler has denied the accusation.
The alleged victim, who claims she had a “consensual three-way sexual relationship” with the couple, told investigators she made plans to have sex with Ziegler and his wife Bridget on Oct. 2.
However, when Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, backed out, the woman texted Christian “Sorry, I was mainly after her,” the affidavit said. obtained by ABC News.
Later that night, the woman claims she discovered Ziegler outside in the hallway as she left her apartment – and claims he then entered her property and raped her.
Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler (left) is accused of rape by a woman who says she had a three-way relationship with Ziegler and his wife Bridget Ziegler (right)
The alleged incident, now under investigation by Sarasota police, happened when Christian and the unnamed accuser were alone in her home on October 2. Pictured: Christian and Bridget Ziegler with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (center)
Together, the couple has a powerful influence in Florida's GOP politics
Weeks later, detectives began monitoring Christian Ziegler's calls and messages to the accuser, the affidavit said.
'Where are you? Do you want to meet and chat? Worried about you. You are my friend,” Ziegler allegedly wrote in a message via Instagram.
“No, not after what you did to me,” the woman replied. “Don't you understand that I'm terrified of you?”
A 911 call obtained by the Florida Center for Government Accountability made by a friend of the alleged victim reveals that she had confided in the friend about rape.
“She told me she had been raped,” the friend told the dispatcher on October 4.
“She says she's scared, that the person who raped her has come to her house, so she's scared to leave… I'm worried about her now,” the friend explained.
Sources cited by the Florida trident said a search warrant had been served on Christian's cell phone and authorities are conducting a forensic examination of the device.
The GOP heavyweight is also said to have secretly filmed the sexual encounters between the couple and the woman.
Christian Ziegler was elected chairman of the Republican Party of the Sunshine State in February. He was previously vice chairman of the state party. Previously, he was a Sarasota County commissioner.
Governor Ron DeSantis has now called on Mr. Ziegler to resign from the party.
During a press conference on Thursday, the governor said: “I don't see how he can move forward given the seriousness of these situations, and that's why I think he should step aside. '
“He's innocent until proven guilty, but we simply can't have a party chairman under that kind of scrutiny.”
Bridget also works for the Leadership Institute, a conservative group that teaches workshops and develops curricula to train the next generation of conservative leaders.
Bridget Ziegler is co-founder of Moms for Liberty, a right-wing parenting rights group, and a board member of the Sarasota County School
Bridget Ziegler is considered a rising star in the conservative movement. She previously received the personal endorsement of Florida Governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis for her seat on the school board. Pictured: Bridget with Casey DeSantis
In a statement on
In 2014, Bridget was first elected to the Sarasota County School Board and re-elected in 2018. In August 2022, she was elected for a third term.
Bridget is co-founder of Mom for Liberty, a group formed in the wake of COVID-19 school policies that parents across the country felt unnecessarily hindered their children's development
Bridget Ziegler is considered a rising star in the conservative movement. She previously received DeSantis' personal endorsement for her seat on the school board.
She has become known in her home state and across the country as the co-founder of Mom for Liberty, a group formed in the wake of COVID-19 school policies that parents across the country felt unnecessarily hampered their children's development hindered.
She helped create the framework for what would become DeSantis' Parental Rights in Education Bill, which became known in the media as the “Don't Say Gay” law.
No criminal charges have been filed in the case and Christian Ziegler's lawyer denied the allegations and said the chairman would be “completely exonerated.”
Derek Byrd said he is confident his client will be “fully exonerated,” adding that he has “fully cooperated with every request made by the Sarasota Police Department.”
“Unfortunately, public figures are often accused of actions they did not commit, whether for political purposes or financial gain,” he said.
“I would caution everyone against rushing to judgment until the investigation is complete. Out of respect for the investigation, this is all Mr. Ziegler and I can say at this time.”
The GOP of Sarasota County, where the couple and their young family are based, released a statement announcing their “shock” and “disappointment” in the reports.
“The Republican Party takes all such allegations of possible criminal conduct very seriously and will cooperate fully with investigators,” the statement said.
A representative for Ziegler did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.
