Florida lawmaker plans to fight prostitution charge

[seafan]

Source: Miami Herald

TITUSVILLE, Fla. --


A Republican state lawmaker charged with offering to perform oral sex for $20 on an undercover male police officer vowed Thursday to defend himself in court and said he would not resign from office.

"I am filing a not guilty plea. I am vigorously going to fight this," State Rep. Bob Allen, a co-chair of Republican presidential candidate John McCain's campaign in Florida, said at a news conference. "I am not resigning my office because the people elected me and want me to do a good job. I am going to do a good job for them in finishing this term."

Allen called his arrest "an ugly and unpleasant situation that has been thrust on me and my family." The lawmaker had sponsored a failed bill that would have tightened the state's prohibition on public sex.

He choked up when he thanked backers who had contacted him to offer their support. He warned people not to jump to conclusions about what happened but said he could not offer any details about the arrest because of his legal strategy. Allen is married and has a teenage daughter.

"It is not true. It is inaccurate and therefore, it's not guilty," Allen said.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/167707.html

[pepperbear]

1. bwahahahahah!

an ugly and unpleasant situation that has been thrust on me and my family."

It sounds like YOU were doing the "thrusting", there, skippy.

[malachi]

7. Was he the "Thruster" or the Thrustee"?

[yardwork]

2. So he's calling the police officer a liar?

Why do Republicans hate officers of the law?

[Dr.Phool]

12. He sez

"If I'd known they were going to act so pricky, I'd have cut their funding a lot sooner".

[seafan]

3. But House Speaker Marco Rubio does not plan any immediate action... ('What would Jeb do??')

......

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer said the matter would be addressed in a timely and appropriate matter.

"While this is an extremely serious matter, the House of Representatives and the judiciary system have established a process to deal with situations of this nature," Greer said in a statement.

However, House Speaker Marco Rubio said in a statement that because the charge against Allen is a misdemeanor, not a felony, "the House rules don't provide for a specific response in the event that he is found to be guilty."

"The charge against Rep. Allen is serious," Rubio said. "We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate steps if necessary."

Allen's arrest on Wednesday came days after a key Southern supporter of McCain opponent Rudy Giuliani, U.S. Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana, was identified as a client of a Washington, D.C., escort service.

.....

Veteran's Memorial Park was under surveillance when Allen was seen coming in and out of a restroom three times, said police Lt. Todd Hutchinson. Allen, 48, then approached an undercover officer and was arrested.

He has been charged with solicitation for prostitution, which has a maximum penalty of one year in jail. Brevard County jail officials said Allen posted a $500 bond.
While being transported to jail, Allen told WFTV Channel 9 that the situation was "a very big misunderstanding."

Allen was elected to the Florida House in 2000. He was chairman of the House Committee on Energy.
Allen was named in March as one of six co-chairs for McCain's Florida campaign.

[Journeyman]

4. It's his right -- innocent and all that for the moment. . .

good move, too, as this will keep the issue in the news and before the public for quite some time.

[cureautismnow]

5. Perhaps, Mark Foley could be a character witness. n/t

[Binka]

6. it's not guilty," Allen said. He Calls Himself Or His Thingy IT? n/t

[DKRC]

8. We're looking at this all wrong

It says right in the article:
The lawmaker had sponsored a failed bill that would have tightened the state's prohibition on public sex.

See? He was only bringing it to the public's attention that sex was running rampant in their parks - one man at a time. He's a real hands-on representative of the good folks of FL.

:evilgrin:

[msongs]

9. here's a possible transcript of the court proceedings, provided in advance:

Prosecutor: did you go the bathroom looking for sex?

defendant: yes

prosecutor: did you proprositon the undercover officer for sex?

defendant: yes

proseuctor: did you have sex with the undercover officer?

defendant: no, he arrested me first.

prosecutor: did you offer to pay the undercover officer?

defendant: no, not guilty of soliciting for prostitution.


there, that oughta clear him

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Snarkoleptic]

10. "I never said I'd swallow, your honor"- no harm no foul?

[Ian David]

11. He'll pay us $20 to let him finish doing a good job. n/t

[Alexander]

13. No judge will believe a civilian over a cop.

Allen's political career is over.

[KayLaw]

14. Also

If I read it right, there were other cops outside the restroom who can testify to Allen's strange behavior -circling the lot, going in and out of the bathroom. What is his version anyway?

[Alexander]

18. Yeah, having 3 or 4 cops contradicting you will get you time in the slammer.

He could be facing perjury charges as well when this is over.

[Highway61]

15. Time for the Foley "take the focus off" rehab

BTW....Wonder whatever happened to that good ole boy? Kinda disappeared didn't he? What is wrong with these losers? Anyone take a good look at Allen...I mean, not just from the neck up, but the whole deal. :puke: He's married??????? Like who would marry someone like that and have their child no less? EEEEWWWWWW...like, not even at gunpoint. Look at Rove, Rush, Graham...there is something missing and folks ELECT them into office. Boggles the mind. Sorry...end of rant :rant:

[Orsino]

16. Putting off the inevitable tearful confession for as long as possible.

"Inaccurate." That's a far cry from anything the public will accept as innocence.

He couldn't just say he never discussed sex for money with the undercover officer? What exactly will he claim did happen?

[assclown_bush]

17. He should get Jim West (the closeted mayor of Spokane) and Jeff Gannon...

to vouch for his character.

[ngant17]

19. BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARREST LIST

BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARREST LIST FOR 06/12/07 TO 07/12/07 Page 67
______________________________________________________________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME: ALLEN, ROBERT, W CID: 286370
R/S/DOB/JUV: W/M-09/30/58(N) Height: 5'11''
Weight: 250 Eye Color: Brown
Occupation: Unemployed Hair Color: Brown
Date In: 07/11/07 Time In: 18:15
Home Address PO BOX 1929, TIUSVILLE, FL 32781

Arrest Information For Arrest#: 1 Case Number: 0743912
Arrest Loc.: 10 BROAD ST/SPACE VIEW PARK City: TITUSVILLE State: FL
City: TPD Officers: 737/ Arrest Date/Time: 07/11/07 15:33
Inf. Drugs/Alcohol: / N
FS796.07 .2F ( 1)() PROSTITUTION-SOLICIT/INDUCE ANOTHER FOR -$ 500.00
07/12/07 1315 Sharpes ALLAWAS Court Pendi 07/11/07
Total Bond: $ 500.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do I obtain a copy of a (Titusville) police report and what are the costs?

A: To request a copy of a report call [phone].

Please have ready the following information:The case number, date and time the report was taken, and the officers name. Requests for reports take approximately three days to complete. Some information will be censored due to confidentiality requirements.

* 8 1/2 x 11 one sided is 15 cents, two sided is 20 cents
* 8 1/2 x 14 one sided is 20 cents, two sided is 25 cents
*
* Accident Reports are $2.00 Traffic Homicide Reports are $25.00

-------------------------------
NB. I figure $3 or $4 bucks ought to cover their printing costs.
This is public information so you have a right to know what your public representatives are doing on your dime.

[Jed Dilligan]

22. "Occupation: Unemployed"?

Was he lying, or just... prophetic?

[ngant17]

23. Yeah, I thought that was strange

for some reason, he didn't want to admit to the police that he was a local state representative and on the government payroll. I mean, he has already publically stated that he wants to continue to represent his constituents in Titusville.

If he was completely innocent, he should at least have stated his actual occupation for the record.

I'd be interested in looking at the actual Titusville city police report if anyone gets it from the city records. I don't think you can do this online, you have to mail in a request or go there in person and fill out a request.

Maybe he is going to resign then?

[Jed Dilligan]

25. My guess is

he was hoping to avoid the media because the name is so common and the infraction so minor.

[HuffleClaw]

20. "an ugly and unpleasant situation that has been thrust on me and my family"

these clowns ALWAYS play the victim, led by bush himself and his 'we're moving on' garbage. and WHO will take this crap seriously? even the freepers won't i bet, other than those who will decide its an evil liberal conspiracy.

[Zorra]

21. Another republican hypocrite "goes down". n/t

[newscott]

24. Wow, some serious denial on this guy. He needs therapy.