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Florida GOP cut Christian Ziegler's salary to $1 and stripped him of his power after a rape allegation

Dec 18, 2023, 18:28 IST
Insider
Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler addresses attendees at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee.Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
  • The Florida GOP voted Sunday to censure chairman Christian Ziegler following a rape allegation.
  • A woman alleges that Ziegler turned up at her apartment and assaulted her on October 2.
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The Florida Republican Party voted on Sunday to censure Chairman Christian Ziegler following a police investigation into a rape allegation.

As a result of the decision, Ziegler's annual salary was cut to just $1, from $12,000, and he is prohibited from hiring or firing staff, speaking on behalf of the Florida GOP, or fundraising for the party, CNN reported.

The Miami Herald said Ziegler also won't be able to seek reimbursements for expenses.

However, Ziegler will retain his title, per CNN.

The unanimous decision was reached during a closed-door meeting in Orlando on Sunday, where the Florida GOP's leadership voted 39-0 to censure Ziegler, CNN reported.

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Ziegler has faced calls to resign following the launch of a Sarasota police investigation on October 4 into a woman's claim that he raped her on October 2.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Rep. Matt Gaetz are among the top officials who have asked Ziegler to stand down.

According to a search warrant affidavit reviewed by the Sarasota Herald-Tribute, the alleged victim and Ziegler's wife, Moms for Liberty cofounder Bridget Ziegler, told police they'd had a consensual three-way sexual encounter with the GOP chairman more than a year ago.

Another three-way was planned for October 2, but Bridget Ziegler was unable to attend, according to the affidavit, per CNN.

The alleged victim attempted to cancel, but Ziegler showed up at her apartment anyway, which is when she said he assaulted her, according to the affidavit.

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Surveillance footage appeared to show Ziegler turning up at the Sarasota apartment, the affidavit said, per CNN.

Ziegler has maintained his innocence throughout, defending himself at the Sunday meeting and arguing that the October incident was consensual.

Earlier this month, he sent a statement to state Republicans that said he and his wife were being targeted because they are "such loud political voices," according to the Associated Press.

As of now, police have not charged Ziegler with a crime.

At Sunday's meeting, the decision was made not to conduct a special investigation, but a meeting of the party's full governing body is now scheduled for January 8, during which a vote to remove Ziegler is expected, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

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"We asked him to resign immediately; he has still not resigned," Florida GOP vice chairman Evan Power told the Herald-Tribune.

"So we wait," Power said. "We're calling a special meeting ... to elect a new chairman and remove him formally from office."

Ziegler did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment, which was sent early Monday morning.

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