Gary Siplin
Gary Anthony Siplin 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.
Early life and education
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.Career and conviction
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.
Siplin ran for his Senate seat again in 2014, losing to incumbent Geraldine Thompson in the primary by a hair.