Posted on 08/17/2006 3:41:48 AM PDT by Brilliant
State Sen. Gary Siplin's pastor held a news conference Wednesday to say Sip-lin's trial "was a huge miscarriage of justice."
Earlier this week, a jury found Siplin, D-Orlando, guilty of stealing thousands in taxpayer money when he made three state-paid workers help on his 2004 re-election campaign. His sentencing is set for Sept. 27.
Siplin, who hasn't spoken publicly since the trial began, was a no-show on "advice of counsel," the Rev. Randolph Bracy Jr. said.
"There is a reason to question whether the judicial system is unjust and unfair to black men who speak for the downtrodden, disinherited and dispossessed," Bracy said on the Orange County Courthouse steps.
"What I witnessed with my own eyes Monday cries for further investigation and review," he said.
A jury of three women and three men -- including one who was black -- took more than two hours Monday to find Siplin guilty of felony grand theft and using state workers to further his campaign, which is a misdemeanor...
"Our mission is to seek justice, and we believe that's what occurred," Means said Wednesday.
Bracy, chairman of the Social Justice Commission for the African American Council of Clergy in Orlando, did not answer any questions from the media after reading a statement.
More than a dozen area ministers and members of the Florida Civil Rights Association turned out to support Siplin.
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)
Stop committing crime and there will be less of you in prison.
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)
Specifics - not that worn out broad brush, "Whitey keeping the black man down."
So glad he took responsibility for his actions.
What a model he is for his community.
I live here in Orlando Florida and this guy - Siplin - is a real gem.
From http://www.garysiplin.com
Dear Friends:
Thank God and you for allowing me to serve as your State Senator for District 19.
District 19 is indeed a true reflection of America. It is comprised of African, Haitian, Hispanics, and Anglo- Americans. Many of the residents are average working class Americans who love their country, community and family and help make Orange County the number one tourist destination. Because of the diversity of this district, we have a variety of issues that range from business development, immigration, prescription drugs, education, transportation, taxes and health care.
As a State Senator, I try to ameliorate these issues by setting up commissions, task forces, and boards, as well as by conducting seminars, workshops, summits and job fairs. I also host an Annual Labor Day Family Picnic where we have given over ten thousand school supplies to needy students, free food, entertainment and clothes and shoes and an annual Christmas Toy Giveaway which provides toys to many of your neighbors.
I am pleased to announce that my colleagues and I passed a budget that included $400,000 for the Professional Opportunities Program for Students (POPS), which allowed 70 teens to be enrolled in a program providing mentoring and apprenticeship for a year and summer jobs paying $10 an hour.
This website contains information on my legislative actions and district activities. Please take a few minutes to review my website. Please call, write or come by and visit my office. Let me know about the work we are doing in Tallahassee.
It is an honor to serve as your State Senator. I look forward to continuing to represent you in the years to come.
God bless you.
Gary
What? No midnight basketball!?
Forwad this link from his site to him ..
Restoration of Civil Rights Forms
http://www.garysiplin.com/forms/RestorationofCivilRightsApplicationForm1501AFinal31902.pdf
Don't worry. If Flordia is anything like Tennessee, the guy will be back in office within a couple of years.
Gee: Black men treated unfairly.
Where have we heard that one before?
Play that funky race card , Play that funky race card ---yeah.
I might actually agree that black men are treated unfairly to some degree... However, that does not excuse what Siplin did. Using that as an excuse for clearly illegal behavior just reinforces the stereotypes.
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