Gary Siplin | |
|---|---|
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| 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.
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 in connection with allegations that a state employee had performed tasks related to his re-election campaign during regular work hours. A jury later found him guilty on one felony count of grand theft and one misdemeanor count of using the services of a public employee for political purposes.
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.
Siplin sponsored SB 228,the "droopy drawers" bill in 2011. [2] The bill would require Florida public school districts to add a ban on sagging pants to their dress codes. [3] This legislation was enacted by Governor Scott in May 2011. [4]
Siplin sponsored Florida's version of the DREAM Act. The act would allow for in-state tuition for undocumented students. The bill was killed in the Senate Judiciary Committee,by a vote of 4–3. [5]
Siplin sponsored a letter to Governor Rick Scott proposing a special prosecutor to the Trayvon Martin case. The governor ultimately decided it was in the best interest of the community to do so. [6]
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(May 2011) |