Co-founder of anti-LGBTQ+ hate group admits to sexual encounter with a woman in rape investigation

Recently released records reveal that Bridget Ziegler, the co-founder of anti-LGBTQ+ hate group Moms for Liberty and a member of the Sarasota School Board, admitted to detectives she was involved in a sexual encounter with a woman.

An investigation has been launched because the woman has accused Bridget Ziegler’s husband, Christian Ziegler, of rape. Christian Ziegler is the Florida state GOP chair. According to an affidavit obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, Bridget Ziegler admitted to detectives that she, her husband, and her husband’s accuser were involved in a consensual sexual encounter over a year ago.

Related:

Co-founder of anti-LGBTQ+ extremist group allegedly was in 3-year sexual MFF three-way relationship

Ron DeSantis endorsed her for school board partly on the basis of her anti-LGBTQ+ activism.

The affidavit – filed by police in an effort to obtain a search warrant for Christian Ziegler’s phone, email, and Google Drive – states the accuser’s allegations that she and the Zieglers had planned a sexual encounter for October 2. But when Bridget Ziegler was no longer available, the woman canceled, saying, “I was mostly in for her,” according to ABC Action News.

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She then alleges that Christian Ziegler was waiting in the hallway outside her apartment when she opened the door to walk her dog. She says he came inside and sexually assaulted her. The affidavit says, “The victim advised Christian did not wear a condom, and he stated, ‘I’m leaving the same way I came in.'”

Christian Ziegler – who has been captured on surveillance footage at the woman’s apartment – has admitted to having sex with her but claims it was consensual. He also claims he secretly recorded a video of the encounter, but police have not yet found it.

The victim also reportedly told police she was intoxicated after having been drinking tequila all day, emphasizing she was unable to consent.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is calling on Christian Ziegler to resign in the wake of the allegations.

“I don’t see how he can continue with that investigation ongoing given the gravity of those situations,” he told the press. “And so I think he should step aside. I think he should tend to that.”

He added, “I hope the charges aren’t true. I’ve known him, I’ve known Bridget, they’ve been friends. But the mission is more important.”

But in an email to the Florida GOP, Christian Ziegler made it clear he would not be resigning. “We have a country to save and I am not going to let false allegations of a crime put that mission on the bench as I want for this process to wrap up,” he wrote.

Christian Ziegler’s lawyer, Derek Byrd, also released a statement saying that “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.”

He also said he is “confident that once the police investigation is concluded that no charges will be filed and Mr. Ziegler will be completely exonerated.”

Christian Ziegler has been a leader in the state Republican party for years, and Bridget Ziegler found political success more recently with help from DeSantis, who endorsed her when she ran for school board and named her to the board that oversees Disney World’s special district, which was part of an act of vengeance against Disney for opposing his state’s Don’t Say Gay law.

“Bridget Ziegler, we should have her in every county in Florida,” DeSantis once said in a speech posted to Bridget Ziegler’s YouTube channel. “We have to do a better job in these school board races.”

Harvard Law Cyberlaw Clinic instructor Alejandra Caraballo noted that Moms for Liberty is an organization that paved the way for Florida’s Don’t Say Gay law, among other things. She called out the “level of hypocrisy” in light of the allegations.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried echoed an almost identical sentiment.

“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,” she said. “The level of hypocrisy in this situation is stunning.”