Gary Siplin
| Gary Siplin | |
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| Member of the Florida Senate from the 19th district |
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In office 2003 - 2011 |
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| Succeeded by | Geraldine Thompson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 21, 1954 Orlando, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | 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 since 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, he was convicted of third-degree felony grand theft of $5,000 or more, as well as a misdemeanor statutory violation, for using the services of employees for his candidacy. Siplin, however, enjoyed support from leaders in both political parties. In addition to members of the Democratic Party, Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt, a Republican, refused to call for the expulsion of Siplin from the Legislature until his appeals were exhausted.
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.
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. The bill would require Florida public school districts to add a ban on sagging pants to their dress codes. This legislation was enacted by Governor Scott in May 2011.
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