Gary Siplin

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Gary Siplin

Member of the Florida State Senate from the 19th district
In office 2003 -

Born	October 21, 1954 (1954-10-21) (age 53) Orlando, Florida
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Victoria Pierre
Profession	attorney
Religion	Baptist

Gary Siplin is 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 then attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning an M.A. in Public & 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. He is the first convicted felon to serve in the Florida Legislature, and sponsored legislation that would restore voting rights to himself and other convicted felons. While able to vote in the Senate, Siplin could not vote for himself in general elections. 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.