Husband of Moms for Liberty co-founder won’t face charges over filming sex video
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The recent announcement by the State Attorney’s Office that Christian Ziegler, the former chairman of the Florida Republican Party, will not face criminal charges over allegations of filming a sexual encounter without consent has raised questions and sparked controversy. Ziegler, who is married to Bridget Ziegler, the co-founder of Moms for Liberty, was accused of raping a woman in a Sarasota apartment and recording the encounter without her knowledge or consent. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, both Ziegler and his attorney, Derek Byrd, have maintained his innocence throughout the investigation.
The decision not to charge Ziegler over the allegations of videotaping the encounter has further fueled the debate surrounding the case. Prosecutor Ed Brodsky stated that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the video was filmed without the woman’s knowledge or consent. The memo released by the State Attorney’s Office highlighted the victim’s inability to recall whether she consented to being recorded during the sexual activity, as well as inconsistencies in her account of the events. It also noted that the victim did not have any financial, political, or malicious motivation behind her allegations.
Ziegler’s attorney, Derek Byrd, expressed relief at the decision not to pursue criminal charges against his client. Byrd emphasized that Ziegler had cooperated fully with the investigation and had maintained his innocence from the beginning. He also lamented the damage caused to Ziegler’s family, career, and reputation as a result of the allegations and subsequent investigation.
The scandal involving Christian and Bridget Ziegler took a further twist when it was revealed that the woman making accusations against Christian had been involved in a threesome with the couple. This revelation raised eyebrows due to the Zieglers’ staunch anti-LGBTQ+ public stances, leading many to label them as hypocrites. Calls for both Zieglers to resign from their positions ensued, with Christian being removed as chairman of the Florida Republican Party in January by an “almost unanimous” vote.
Bridget Ziegler also faced calls to step down from her position on a school board in Florida, with activists and members of the public criticizing her for being hypocritical in light of her anti-LGBTQ+ views. During a public meeting, activist Zander Moricz called for Bridget’s removal from the school board, citing her poor performance in her role rather than her personal choices. Retired deputy superintendent John Smeallie also criticized Bridget, calling her “a hypocrite of the worst order” and suggesting that despite her attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, she may be a part of it herself.
The decision not to charge Christian Ziegler over the allegations of filming a sexual encounter without consent has left many questioning the justice system’s handling of such cases. The lack of conclusive evidence and conflicting accounts have cast doubt on the veracity of the accusations against Ziegler. As he seeks to rebuild his reputation and move forward from this scandal, the fallout from this case is likely to have lasting implications for both him and his wife, Bridget Ziegler.
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Christian Ziegler