Gary Siplin

Infobox State Senator


name=Gary Siplin


state_senate=Florida
state=Florida
district=19th
term=2003 -
preceded=
succeeded=Incumbent
date of birth=birth date and age|1954|10|21
place of birth=Orlando, Florida
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=Victoria Pierre
profession=attorney
religion=Baptist
party=Democratic|

Gary Siplin is a Democratic member of the Florida Senate, representing the 19th District since 2003. Previously he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 through 2002.

Siplin earned a B.A. in political science from Johnson C. Smith University, where he became a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He then then attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning an M.A. in Public & International Affairs. His Juris Doctor was earned at the Duquesne University School of Law.

In 2006, he was convicted of third-degree felony grand theft of $5,000 or more, as well as a misdemeanor statutory violation, for using the services of employees for his candidacy. He is the first convicted felon to serve in the Florida Legislature, and sponsored legislation that would restore voting rights to himself and other convicted felons. While able to vote in the Senate, Siplin could not vote for himself in general elections. Siplin, however, enjoyed support from leaders in both political parties. In addition to members of the Democratic Party, Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt, a Republican, refused to call for the expulsion of Siplin from the Legislature until his appeals were exhausted.

On December 28, 2007, the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed his convictions and remanded the case to the trial court with directions that Siplin be acquitted of the felony charge, and that prosecutors be given permission to retry him on the misdemeanor charge.

References

* [http://www.wftv.com/news/9674551/detail.html Jury Finds Senator Gary Siplin Guilty Of Grand Theft] , WFTV.com, August 15, 2006
* [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-27790325_ITM Republican Senate President Ken Pruitt allows Siplin to remain in Florida Senate]
* [http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2006/12/fellow_dems_ral.html Fellow Dems Rally Around Convicted Felon Gary Siplin]
* [http://www.americanconservativedaily.com/index.php?/archives/2177-Florida-Senator-Siplins-Conflict-of-Interest.html Florida Senator Siplin’s Conflict of Interest]
* [http://www.wftv.com/news/10417257/detail.html Senator Siplin All Smiles As Probation Gets Delayed By Appeal] , WFTV.com, November 29, 2006

External links

* [http://www.garysiplin.com/ Gary Siplin] official website
* [http://www.flsenate.gov/legislators/s19 Florida State Legislature - Senator Gary Siplin] official government website
* [http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=53801 Project Vote Smart - Senator Gary Siplin (FL)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - Gary Siplin
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20069&c=435818 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20049&c=404313 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20029&c=34224 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=20009&c=349799 2000] campaign contributions
* [http://www.5dca.org/Opinions/Opin2007/122407/5D06-4071.op.pdf "Siplin v. State", No. 5D06-4071 (Fla. 5th DCA, Dec. 28, 2007)]