Michael Barfield
Director of Public Access & Lead Investigative Reporter
Michael Barfield focuses on the enforcement of open government laws. He serves as FLCGA’s lead investigator and director of public access. He regularly assists journalists across the country with collecting information and publishing news reports obtained from public records and other sources. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters & Editors.
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Zieglers sue to stop release of rape investigation records
Former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler and his wife Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota School Board Member and cofounder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, …
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State Attorney won’t prosecute Ziegler for video voyeurism
State prosecutors announced today that former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler will not be criminally charged for videotaping an alleged sexual battery of a woman …
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Ex-Florida GOP chair accused of rape told police he was more concerned about “PR” than facts of case
When Sarasota police detectives first interviewed Christian Ziegler after receiving a complaint from a woman accusing him of rape, he answered no questions, transcripts released …
![A blond woman thrusting out her chest is wearing a white short with blue trim. She stands next to a white man in a suit with a red tie. The sign behind them reads Mamas for DeSantis.](https://floridatrident.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-26-at-8.43.58-PM.png)
Listen: Audio released of Moms for Liberty cofounder Bridget Ziegler’s police interview
The Sarasota Police Department today released the audio recording of its interview with Moms for Liberty cofounder and Sarasota County School Board Member Bridget Ziegler …
![A blond woman thrusting out her chest is wearing a white short with blue trim. She stands next to a white man in a suit with a red tie. The sign behind them reads Mamas for DeSantis.](https://floridatrident.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-26-at-8.43.58-PM.png)
While touting “family values” agenda, the Zieglers were on the “hunt” for threesome partners, police report reveals
While Republican power couple Christian and Bridget Ziegler publicly pushed for “family values” and backed an agenda widely viewed as anti-LGBTQ, they were secretly on …
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Bridget Ziegler Contradicts Husband’s Story of Planned Threesome
New details have emerged in the now-closed sexual battery investigation of recently ousted Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler that contradict his claim a threesome involving …
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Police Clear Ziegler of Rape, But Send Voyeurism Felony Case To Prosecutors
[UPDATE: The Sarasota Police Department issued a press release that confirms this story. Information from the release has been added below] The Sarasota Police Department …
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Rape investigation of FL GOP chairman expands to video voyeurism
Sarasota police are investigating whether Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler unlawfully videotaped the sexual encounter at the heart of a rape allegation against him, a …
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Police have recovered second Ziegler sex video, sources say
A sex video involving Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler and an unidentified woman has been recovered by police as part of the ongoing criminal …