Where’s The Apology

Senator Gary Siplin seen here with Rev. Al Sharpton                                    photo credit: Nancy Brown / 106foto.com

Now that Senator Gary Siplin has been exonerated,  the Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office owes the Senator an apology.

After all, the charge that Senator Siplin committed grand theft against the people and and the state of Florida were unfounded.

It all began when WFTV Channel 9 seeking to boost its ratings, targeted Senator Gary Siplin’ 2004 campaign spending.  Well known for its attacks against African-American officials, Channel 9 was the single motivating factor for prosecutors seeking to make an example out of Siplin.

     For example, when white republican Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo allegedly asked an associate  to write software that could alter vote totals on touch-screen voting machines, there was no uproar from producers at Channel 9.  There was also limited response from the editorial board of the Orlando Sentinel regarding Tom Feeneys consistent association with disgraced former Congressman Tom Delay and convicted felon Jack Abramoff.

Always quick to belittle and undermine black elected officials, the Orlando Sentinel editorial board went so far as to criticize the appeals court decision in favor of Siplin, citing their disappointment.

“We reverse both convictions and remand with directions that Mr. Siplin be acquitted on the felony charge,” the District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida, Fifth District

After all, prosecutors assigned to the case made many demeaning comments, often referring to Siplin as corrupt and a thief. A handful of Siplin’s West Orlando constituents who recalled the comments as ‘unneccesary, and hurtful’  are now calling for the resignation of Lawson Lamar and his prosecutor, Ken Lewis.

(from left to right)  Orlando City Commissioners Sam Ings and Daisy Lynum, State Representative Geraldine Thompson,  Rev. Al Sharpton,  Sen. Gary Siplin,  former Mayor of Orlando, Ernest Page, and Pastor  Randolph Bracy, New Covenant Baptist Church
photo credit: West Orlando News    Nancy Brown / 106foto.com

The overzealous Lewis was quoted as saying, “The citizens of Florida, the people of Florida, the taxpayers, this man [Siplin] could care less about. He only cares about his pockets, his friends, himself, his wife and his dummy corporations,” Lewis said.

In its latest episode of racist targeting of African American elected officials, the Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office blew this one. 

Like rabid wolves, prosecutors pursued Siplin until the end, even challenging his constitutional obligation to represent his district in Tallahassee.  Prosecutors had Siplin arrested when he traveled to Tallahaassee to represent his district.

Ultimately, an annoyed judge set aside the conditions of his probation so that Siplin could represent the district.

The ferociousness of the states attacks  enabled prosecutors to make outlandish comments, many disrespectful to Siplin and his family.

“Mr. Siplin had one agenda — to take care of his friends, to take care of his family and to take care of himself,” Prosecutor Ken Lewis said.

But, to Siplin’s constituents, it was Lewis who had an agenda: to harm Gary Siplin and his reputation, to harm Gary Siplins family and to disrespect the Senate District 19.

Despite the appeal court decision, the lynch mob mentality of the prosecutors office, seems still obsessed with ‘getting” Gary Siplin. 

“Our office has not yet had a chance to review the ruling,” said a spokeswoman. “We will make a decision as soon as possible.”

In a 13-page decision the court shredded the states case, criticized the entire process, and blocked the states ability to pursue Siplin in the future.

“Because it would violate double jeopardy principles to allow the State to try Mr. Siplin a second time on this charge when its evidence was insufficient to sustain a conviction at the first trial, we remand with directions that the trial court enter a judgment of acquittal as to this charge. Mr. Siplin cannot be re-tried on count 1,” said the court.

“Under Florida law, a theft requires proof of taking . . . with the intent to steal,.” read the courts decision.  Clearly, Senator Siplin did not steal, nor did he do anything dishonest, according to the Appeals Court.

The court elaborated, “the State’s evidence was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt”.

With the case behind him, Gary Siplin can now return to his district and continue carrying out the peoples business.

Without missing a beat, Senator Siplin has successfully launched legislation combating the droopy pants phenomenon, which has received unanimous support the committee on which Siplin is vice-chair.

The measure goes before the full body in March.