Gary Siplin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 19th district | |
| In office 2002 - 2012 | |
| Preceded by | (redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Geraldine Thompson (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 21,1954 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Victoria Siplin |
| Children | Gary Jr.,Angelika,Joshua,Jacob |
| Profession | Attorney |
Gary Anthony Siplin (born October 21,1954,in Orlando,Florida) was a Democratic member of the Florida Senate,representing the 19th District from 2003. Previously he was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 through 2002.
Contents
- Legislation
- Sagging Pants Legislation
- In-State Tuition for Non-Citizens
- Trayvon Martin
- References
- External links
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 attended the University of Pittsburgh,earning an M.A. in Public and International Affairs. His Juris Doctor was earned at the Duquesne University School of Law.
In 2006,Siplin was charged after a state employee assisted with his re-election campaign during work hours. The case initially resulted in a conviction on one felony count and one misdemeanor. The following year,the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed the case,reversed the felony conviction,and ruled that the evidence did not demonstrate criminal intent. The court remanded the case for further proceedings on the misdemeanor count. During the appeals process,Siplin continued to serve in the Florida Senate,and legislative leaders deferred any disciplinary action until the appeals were resolved.<ref>{{cite court |title=Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal,Gary A. Siplin v. State of Florida |date=December 28,2007 |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-district-court-of-appeal/1320134.html |publisher=FindLaw |access-date=November 2,2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pacheco |first=Walter |title=State Sen. Gary Siplin celebrates reversal of his felony conviction |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=January 1,2008 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126274627/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-01-01/news/siplin01_1_gary-siplin-senator-gary-state-senator |access-date=November 2,2025}}</ref>
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. [1]
Siplin ran for his Senate seat again in 2014,losing to incumbent Geraldine Thompson in the primary by a hair.
