The will not face a video voyeurism charge for recording a sexual encounter with a woman who accused him of rape, a case in , prosecutors said Wednesday.
The woman made inconsistent statements about whether or not she consented to the video made by Christian Ziegler during the October encounter at her home, prosecutors said in a memo. A crime could be committed if there was sufficient evidence the video was made without her knowledge and consent.
The woman told investigators that 鈥渟he could have consented to the video being taken 鈥� she is simply unable to recall one way or the other,鈥� the memo said.
Ziegler maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, his attorney Derek Byrd said in an email.
鈥淢r. Ziegler is relieved to be completely cleared of the false allegations and any criminal wrongdoing. We cooperated at every stage of investigation and as difficult as it was, we remained quiet out of respect for the investigation,鈥� Byrd said.
Ziegler, 40, previously admitted having sex with the woman but insisted it was consensual. Court records show that his wife, Bridget Ziegler, told detectives the three had engaged in sex once more than a year ago. Police said Bridget Ziegler backed out of the recent planned encounter but that her husband went to the accuser鈥檚 apartment alone.
Bridget Ziegler is a prominent conservative who co-founded the organization and is also an elected member of the Sarasota County school board. She was also appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the
The controversy led the state Republican Party to remove Ziegler as chair in January. There have also been efforts in Sarasota to but she has refused to resign.
Copyright 2024 WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit . 9(MDAyNDY5MjM1MDEyODE2MzMyMTZmZDQwMg001))
