Bodycam footage shows the moment police respond to former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler’s rape accuser.
The video from October 4 shows officers responding to a wellness check called in by a friend of the woman before asking her a few questions about her complaint.
The clip does not identify the woman, who claims she was raped by Ziegler after she canceled plans to have sex with him and his wife Bridget.
Ziegler has denied the accusations and said he and his Moms for Liberty founder wife are being targeted for their outspoken conservative views. He was ousted as Florida GOP chair earlier this week amid the probe but is yet to face any charges.
In the clip, officers talked to the alleged victim can be heard asking her if Ziegler is ‘the political guy’.
Christian Ziegler and his wife had allegedly planned to meet up with the third woman however it is claimed Bridget did not end up attending
Police bodycam footage has been released showing the moment they responded to former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler’s rape accuser
The woman is seen being driven to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where police confirm if she would like a sexual assault kit
The alleged victim sits in the back seat as cops quiz her for more information before driving her to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
‘Before we go in, I just want to clarify you want to get a sexual assault kit?’ one of the officers asks as they approach the building.
The woman says yes, but her face and voice have been obscured to protect her privacy.
‘Now let me ask you because this is important, do you want this to be reported or unreported?’ the cop continues.
When the woman states she would like it to be reported, the officer continues: ‘Okay, let’s go get you in there and get everything squared away.’
The woman claims she was raped by Ziegler at her home on October 2.
The alleged victim, who claims she was in a ‘consensual three-way sexual relationship’ with the couple, told investigators she had made plans to have sex with Ziegler and his wife.
However, when his wife backed out the woman texted Christian ‘Sorry I was mostly in for her,’ according to the affidavit.
Ziegler has said he is innocent following a woman’s claims that he raped her after she canceled plans to have sex with him and his wife
Ziegler was ousted as chairman of the Republican party in Florida amid the investigation although he has yet to face any charges
Later that evening the woman claims that as she went to leave her apartment she discovered Ziegler outside in the hallway – and alleges he then entered her property and raped her.
The GOP heavyweight is also under investigation for allegedly secretly recording alleged encounters between the couple and the woman.
Weeks later, detectives began to monitor calls and messages sent by Christian Ziegler to the accuser, according to the affidavit.
‘Where r u? Wanna meet and chat? Worried about you. You are my friend,’ Ziegler allegedly wrote in one message via Instagram.
‘Hell no not after what you did to me,’ the woman responded. ‘Do you not understand I am terrified of you?’
A 911 call, obtained by the Florida Center for Government Accountability, made by a friend of the alleged victim’s reveals she confided in the friend about being raped.
‘She told me she was raped,’ the friend informed the dispatcher on October 4.
‘She’s saying she’s scared, that the person who raped her came to her house, so she’s scared to leave… I’m worried about her right now,’ the friend explained.
The school board’s Chair Karen Rose said she was ‘shocked and saddened’ to hear of the allegations against the couple
The alleged incident, now under investigation by Sarasota police, say happened when Christian and the unnamed accuser were alone in her home on October 2. Pictured: Christian and Bridget Ziegler with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (middle)
Ziegler had ignored calls to resign his position by the likes of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis among others.
He was suspended Ziegler on December 17, removing his salary. But Monday’s executive meeting removed him from the role completely.
Bridget Ziegler is considered a rising star in the conservative movement. She previously received the personal endorsement of DeSantis for her school board seat.
She has become well known in her own state and across the country as the co-founder of Mom for Liberty, a group founded in the wake of COVID-19 school policies that parents across the nation felt were unnecessarily impeding their children’s development.
She helped establish the framework for what would become DeSantis’ Parental Rights in Education Bill, which became known in the media as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law.
However, she was booted out of her board position with Sarasota County School Board amid the scandal.