SARASOTA, Fla. — Florida Democrats have called for the resignation of the state's Republican Chairman after the Sarasota Police Department confirmed a criminal investigation.
Christian Zeigler is under investigation in a sexual battery case. ABC Action News reached out to Sarasota Police to request a copy of the report of the criminal allegations and received a nearly completely redacted document that provided few details but did show the words "rape" and "sexual assault."
ABC Action News also obtained copies of search warrants of affidavits filed in this case. They detail an apparent sexual relationship between Ziegler, his wife and another woman.
The affidavit claims the three had planned to meet up to have sex in early October, but Ziegler's wife couldn't make it last minute.
According to the affidavit, Ziegler showed up at the other woman's home alone and raped her.
RELATED: Court records detail woman's rape allegations against Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler
The Florida Center for Government Accountability has also released an apparent 9-1-1 call connected to this case. In it, a woman is heard asking for a wellness check for a friend who had been raped.
Zeigler and his wife, Bridget, are a conservative political power couple in the state. In addition to heading the Republican Party, Bridget is on the Sarasota County School Board and is a co-founder of "Moms for Liberty," the group behind many of the recent book challenges and bans across Florida and the nation.
Two of the group's co-founders, Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, released a statement.
“Bridget was an original founder of Moms for Liberty, but she stepped back from the organization’s board in 2021. We have learned long ago to not believe everything we read online, and we are confident she will get to tell her side of things to those who are interested in more than click bait.”
The Republican Party of Sarasota County released a statement on the Ziegler's Thursday afternoon.
“We are shocked and disappointed to hear of the reports concerning Republican Party of Florida Chair and Sarasota County State Committeeman Christian Ziegler, and his wife, Sarasota County School Board Member Bridget Ziegler. The Republican Party takes all such allegations of potential criminal conduct very seriously and will fully cooperate with investigators."
The Democratic Party of Florida released a statement on the issue that read in part:
“Allegations of rape and sexual battery are severe and should be taken seriously,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “I applaud the accuser’s bravery in coming forward against a political figure as powerful as Christian Ziegler, and I trust that the Sarasota Police Department will conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations of criminal behavior. Christian Ziegler can’t possibly continue to lead the Florida GOP under these conditions. Given the severity of the criminal allegations, I’m calling for his immediate resignation."
ABC Action News reached out to Ziegler, who sent a statement through his attorney, Derek Byrd.
We acknowledge the reports that there is an investigation being conducted by the Sarasota Police Department regarding Mr. Ziegler. Mr. Ziegler has been fully cooperative with every request made by the Sarasota Police Department. We are confident that once the police investigation is concluded that no charges will be filed and Mr. Ziegler will be completely exonerated. 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. Out of respect for the investigation, this is all Mr. Ziegler or myself can say at this time.
According to the constitution for the Republican Party of Florida, if Ziegler steps down, the party's vice chair, Evan Power, would temporarily take over.
The party would then have 60 days to hold an election to select a new party chair.
