Christian coalition chief accused of falsifying gay rights petition

The Sun-Sentinel ^ | August 17 2002 | David Cázares

[Luis Gonzalez]

MIAMI -- The head of the Miami-Dade County Christian Coalition, a key figure in a battle to repeal anti-discrimination protections for gay men and lesbians, was arrested on Friday for allegedly lying on the petitions that propelled a referendum on whether voters should repeal the measure onto the Sept. 10 ballot.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I wonder if all petitions are so throughly investigated...

[Diddle E. Squat]

Well if they really did use unscrupulous methods, throw the book at them.

However, I'd like to see an investigation into whether the false signatures have any connection to gay groups. I suspect many more arrests could be made in that opposite direction, if investigators were willing to look. A big 'if'.

[Arthur McGowan]

So what? It's just about sex.

[fella]

"So what? It's just about sex."

According to Clinton-Think homosexuality is not sex.

[gcruse]

But he told reporters for Spanish-language television that
the arrest was part of an organized effort to undermine the
campaign against the amendment.

In related developements,

   i Cardinal Bernard Law told reporters his depositions were
             coerced by Satan in an attempt to destroy Catholicism.

  i Jeffrey Dahmer has denounced his prison sentence
           as an organized attempt to discredit cannibalism.

  i Hillary Clinton told NBC's Today Show that claims
            her husband had sex with Monica Lewinsky were
            an organized attack by a vast right wing conspiracy.

[MonroeDNA]

Where do I sign? Registered votor in south florida.

[Texas_Jarhead]

oh that's real nice

[pragmatic]

Maybe they hired the same people as the DC mayor. What is it with these people anyway. Getting people to sign random pieces of paper is not a difficult task.

[Looking for Diogenes]

I'd like to see an investigation into whether the false signatures have any connection to gay groups. I suspect many more arrests could be made in that opposite direction, if investigators were willing to look.

Did you read the article? The arrests are not due to false signatures. The gatherers are accused of unscrupulous methods.

Anthony Verdugo, 40, was arrested Friday morning by agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said Chip Thullbery, a spokesman for the Polk County State Attorney’s Office, the special prosecutor for the case. Verdugo was charged with one count of falsely swearing that he had witnessed someone signing a petition calling for the referendum.

Two others were arrested on similar charges and fourth is being sought.

There were false signatures found, but not enough to invalidate the initiative.

[Clemenza]

A member of the Gaystapo?

[Michael2001]

I hope this isn't true

[SkyPilot]

From your profile:

Ah, religion.

Ah, your soul.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I'm trying to get someone from the organization to come on Radio FR with me for a special edition show.

Keep tuned!

[gcruse]

Ah, wishful thinking.

[Red Jones]

there are always false signatures on petitions that get gathered and used for political purposes. It is impossible to keep them off, the people who collect signatures either as volunteers or paid contractors try very hard to keep the false signatures out, but cannot. So, you are saying that all people who collect signatures for political petititions should be arrested and thrown in jail.

this fellow is exactly correct in his assertion that it is christian persecution. I say that only because it is normal to have false signatures. If they can't prove that he did it on purpose, then they have nothing but an accusation. Unfortunately, that's all they need.

[Red Jones]

luis, I don't know everything about this issue, but I think your instincts are correct in that this guy seems to be being railroaded. I haven't spent any time collecting signatures myself, but I've talked with people who have. I'm under the impression that whenever you collect signatures for political petitions you end up with some false or fraudulent ones even if you try not to. People sign a second time by mistake, people sign a second time on purpose and say they didn't, people claim to live in a location where they don't live, etc. That's why the government checks the signatures and counts the good ones. There are always bad signatures. If they can't prove that the guy knew about the fraudulent or mistaken signatures, then they are really just throwing him in jail for his political views.

I think the big news agencies should really get onto this one and demonstrate how awful the miami police are behaving, but you know how bigoted they are. It is insane and sick.

[Texas_Jarhead]

I appreciate your humility. I experience the same problem at times, so I understand.

FReegards