Ex-Florida GOP chair won't face sexual battery charge, but voyeurism allegation under review

• Detectives showed the video to the woman, who told detectives "that she was unaware and did not consent" to being recorded during the Oct. 2 encounter, per the release.
• Police found probable cause for a charge of video voyeurism and forwarded the case to prosecutors to decide whether to formally charge Ziegler with the felony crime.

What they're saying: "Since day one, we have been confident Mr. Ziegler would be exonerated from these baseless allegations," Ziegler attorney Derek Byrd said in a statement, adding his client "has been completely honest, forthright, and has been fully cooperative" with police.

• "While we are disappointed that the Sarasota Police Department 'punted' the decision on the remaining portion of the case to the State Attorney's office, we strongly believe that the State Attorney will not prosecute Mr. Ziegler for any crime," he added.

Catch up quick: The police investigation began Oct. 4 and came to light in November after a report from the Florida Trident.

• Under mounting pressure, the Republican Party of Florida's executive committee last week ousted Ziegler as chair.

Meanwhile, Ziegler's wife, Bridget Ziegler, has resisted calls to resign from the Sarasota County School Board.

• While she was not involved in the investigation into her husband, the woman who accused him said she had a consensual sexual relationship with both of the Zieglers.
• Critics have accused her of hypocrisy, saying her alleged relationship with the woman doesn't square with her support of policies that restrict LGBTQ+ rights.
• Bridget Ziegler is also a founder of the conservative parent group Moms for Liberty, which the Southern Poverty Law Center recently labeled a far-right extremist group.