Florida GOP Chair Accused of Rape Is Demanding a Multimillion Dollar Buyout to Step Down: Report
AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Christian Ziegler, the chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, is reportedly requesting a multimillion dollar buyout after being accused of rape.
According to Florida Politics, “multiple sources” have confirmed that “Ziegler has asked for a massive payout — one source said $2 million — to go away. Officials within the state party confirmed emissaries for Ziegler approached the party on his behalf.” The chairman has denied the claim that he has asked for money in exchange for his resignation.
Ziegler is currently being investigated after a woman alleged that he raped her, but Florida Politics also recently reported that a video from his phone may contradict her account.
Ziegler and his wife, Bridget Ziegler, have admitted to previously engaging in consensual sexual activity with his accuser.
A number of prominent Sunshine State Republicans have called on Ziegler to resign, including Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Governor Ron DeSantis.
“I don’t see how he can continue with that investigation ongoing, given the gravity of those situations, and so I think that I think he should step aside,” said DeSantis on November 30. “He’s innocent until proven guilty, but we just can’t have a party chair that is under that type of scrutiny.”
“I’m very concerned about the reports I’ve read. The allegations are very disturbing,” observed Scott a few days later. “I don’t see how Christian can continue to successfully act as Chairman while this cloud hovers over him. I’m praying for everyone involved in this.”
Bridget Ziegler is a co-founder of Moms for Liberty and a member of the Sarasota County school board. On Tuesday, the board voted 4-1 in favor of a resolution calling on her to step down from that post. Ziegler herself was the only one to vote against the resolution.
School board chairman Karen Rose said that she personally cares “about Bridget and her family and deeply regret the necessity for this course of action, but given the intense media scrutiny locally and nationally, her continued presence on the Board would cause irreparably harmful distractions to our critical mission.” Bridget Ziegler is yet to step down.
