Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler under criminal investigation after rape accusation

The chairman of the Florida Republican Party, Christian Ziegler, is under criminal investigation after a sexual battery complaint was filed against him with the Sarasota Police Department. 

The woman leveling the accusation against Ziegler has reportedly been in a “three-year consensual three-way sexual relationship” with the Florida GOP chairman and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, who co-founded parents rights group Moms for Liberty, according to the Florida Trident – the journalism arm of the Florida Center for Government Accountability watchdog group. 

“We acknowledge the reports that there is an investigation being conducted by the Sarasota Police Department regarding Mr. Ziegler,” Derek Byrd, an attorney for Ziegler, told The Post in a statement. 

“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,” Byrd added 

The alleged sexual battery took place on Oct. 2 and was reported to police two days later, a heavily redacted police report of the incident states. 

“Raped,” “sexual assault,” and “sexually battered” are among the few words not redacted in the 14-page report. 

Ziegler’s attorney suggested that the accusations were false, and could have been made for “political purposes or financial gain.” 

“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,” Byrd said. 

Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried, who lost the 2022 Sunshine State gubernatorial election to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, called on Ziegler to resign Thursday.

“Allegations of rape and sexual battery are severe and should be taken seriously,” Fried said in a statement. “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,” she added. 

Fried went on to slam the Zieglers for their alleged involvement in a three-way tryst, accusing the political power couple of “hypocrisy.” 

“As for the more salacious allegations — what happens behind closed doors is Christian and Bridget’s personal business. That being said, I do find it interesting that two people who are so obsessed with banning books about gay penguins might be engaged in a non-traditional sexual relationship,” Fried said. 

“As leaders in the Florida GOP and Moms for Liberty, the Zieglers have made a habit out of attacking anything they perceive as going against ‘family values’ — be it reproductive rights or the existence of LGBTQ+ Floridians. The level of hypocrisy in this situation is stunning.”

Christian Ziegler and the Florida Republican Party did not respond to The Post’s requests for comment.