Opinion: Christian Ziegler isn't the first Florida GOP scandal

Christian Ziegler needs to do the right thing and step down as Chairman of the Florida Republican Party.

Jim Greer did.

Does anyone remember this guy Greer? Probably not, just the same way no one will remember Ziegler in a few years.

Anyway, Greer was the chair of the Florida GOP from 2006 to 2010, and he created a situation actually messier than the one Ziegler finds himself in.

Greer created a company called Victory Strategies and then proceeded to divert $200,000 worth of party donations to himself and an associate.

He also rang up massive debt on his party credit card. Limos, charter planes and trips to Las Vegas, New York and London were among many lavish gifts he decided he deserved for his fine work of shaking hands, attending parties and fundraising on behalf of the state GOP.

Former governor Charlie Crist – then a Republican – was the person who selected Greer for the job, and the two were close until the heat from the association became too much for Crist’s political career, and he had to distance himself. Greer claimed Crist knew what was going on. Crist, of course, denied he did.

Because it's never a politician's fault, Greer blamed enemies within the party for his downfall, saying his endorsement of Crist over Marco Rubio for a Senate seat in 2010 was the reason for him being a target.

It was a situation not unlike the one Gov. Ron DeSantis found himself in with Ziegler. When it was reported that Ziegler was being investigated in Sarasota for an alleged rape on Oct. 2, DeSantis – who is running for president – wasted no time in calling for Ziegler to step down.

So far, Ziegler has acted like a little kid stomping through the kitchen in his cowboy boots after his mother turned him down for a cookie. He has refused to go, even though Steve Bannon and Mike Lindell are about the only two people supporting him. Ziegler's strategy that he can survive politically just as Donald Trump has survived is a notion nothing short of delusional.

On Jan. 5, 2010, Greer did something Ziegler just can't comprehend: He read the Tea Party leaves and resigned.

"I have made a point to put the best interest of the party before my own, even when criticisms were misdirected and invalid, and I will do so again now," Greer said at the time of his resignation.

Another problem: Opinion: Video of alleged rape is a big problem for Ziegler

More: Opinion: Ziegler's sex life is not the only thing that makes her a hypocrite

Reportedly, the day before he resigned, a secret deal was made where Greer would receive a severance of $123,750, though it was not known if it was ever paid. Ziegler was censured last week by the Florida GOP and saw his salary cut to $1.

Greer was shaving one morning when there was a knock on the door. No wonder he cut himself. It was the police. They were there to arrest him.

Just before his trial in 2013, Greer surprised everyone and pleaded guilty to four counts of felony theft and another charge of money laundering.

The Florida GOP let out a deep sigh of relief at the news, as everyone was afraid of what could come out at trial. There were a lot of rumors floating around. For example, it was reported that Greer was raising questions in depositions about Crist's drinking habits and sexuality.

After Greer's stunning admission, all that was left was the sentencing.

The former chair of the Florida GOP, a disgraced man who did the right thing by resigning for the good of his party, received 18 months in state prison.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Welcome to Florida, the land of GOP chairman scandals