Published by the Florida Center for Government Accountability
Democrats call for resignation of Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler amid sexual battery allegations
The Sarasota Police Department is currently running a criminal investigation over allegations of sexual battery against Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler.
As of Thursday, police confirmed that investigators have not charged Ziegler with any crimes yet.
Police released a heavily redacted report, obscuring details about the accusations, but claiming it involved a rape allegation against Ziegler.
Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler is the subject of a criminal sexual battery investigation. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images/File)
Earlier on Thursday, Ziegler’s attorney, Derek Byrd, released a statement to FOX 13 Tampa Bay acknowledging the reports of the investigation, saying that Ziegler has fully cooperated with the police requests.
“We are confident that once the police investigation is concluded that no charges will be filed and Mr. Ziegler will be completely exonerated,” Byrd said in a statement.
The Republican Party of Sarasota County also released a statement Thursday:
“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.”