Florida State Rep. Bob Allen glances over to his wife Beth at the Moore Justice Center in Viera on Monday. Allen was found guilty of soliciting prostitution on Friday. (Michael R. Brown, ASSOCIATED PRESS / November 5, 2007)
Posted on 11/10/2007 9:17:29 AM PST by BGHater
State Rep. Bob Allen's troubles may only get worse.
Seconds after he was convicted Friday of soliciting a sex act in a park bathroom, legislative leaders were discussing how to remove him from office.
"This conviction makes it impossible for Rep. Allen to represent responsibly the citizens of his district," Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio said in a statement. "Furthermore, it is my personal belief that it harms the reputation of the Florida House of Representatives. We will now take the appropriate steps."
Allen, R-Merritt Island, who did not testify in his own defense, insisted he is innocent.
"I have done nothing wrong, and my family, my God and my good constituents know that," Allen said as he left the courtroom flanked by his three attorneys. "We're going to continue to seek justice."
The lawmaker is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday for the second-degree misdemeanor charge and could face a maximum 60 days in the county jail and a $500 fine. Prosecutors said after the verdict was announced that they intend to seek jail time.
Also late Friday, Allen's lead attorney, Greg Eisenmenger, accused the state of prosecutorial misconduct and said he would seek a new trial.
Eisenmenger said Brevard Assistant State Attorney Pat Whitaker erred by commenting on a defendant's right to remain silent when he described Allen as hanging his head upon realizing he was about to be arrested July 11 outside Veterans Memorial Park in Titusville.
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Florida State Rep. Bob Allen glances over to his wife Beth at the Moore Justice Center in Viera on Monday. Allen was found guilty of soliciting prostitution on Friday. (Michael R. Brown, ASSOCIATED PRESS / November 5, 2007)
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
All of them ought to arrested and kicked out of office.
This was not a felony.
It was a missdeweiner.
I swear to God if this was not such a serious election in 2008, this would be absolutely hillarious! What is happening to the Republican Party. We have more homos than the Democrats. Maybe it is that Republicans stand for morals and these clowns just can’t live by them. The Republicans sure are giving a lot of ammo to the Democrats.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
This is sad. He needs to do the right thing and resign.
It is sad, I have known and worked with Bob Allen for 18 years. He has been a consistent voice for advancing the conservative cause, then he disappointed us by becoming a McCain Co-Chair in Florida, and now this.
He should do the right thing and resign.
...And he is still in denial about it ! I hope he gets some psych help. Somebody going into a public restroom and doing their best impersonation of George Michael has some serious issues.
Once again this tread would be much more fun if the bathroom sex trolling queer were a Democrat.
No, not funny. It’s just sad. A serious cry for help (this guy, Larry Craig, etc). What the hell is it with homosexual men seeking out rendezvous in the most public places ? I mean, it’s one thing to meet the person, but another to continue the trist in such a locale ? Bathrooms, bathhouses, wooded areas in parks. They wouldn’t have quite the rep they have if they had the common courtesy to go get a motel room or their own homes.
Mark
Charming.
I live in Allen’s district too, so this is humiliating.
I’m starting to think there are more “gay” elected Republicans than “gay” elected democrats.
It doesn’t sound like he will. Maybe he and Larry Craig could compare notes on implausible defenses.
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