Bob Allen Resigns

Bob Allen has official resigned from the Florida House of Representatives. The Orlando Sentinel published his resignation letter.

Bob Allen Found Guilty

Bob Allen's career is officially over.

A jury found Allen guilty of agreeing to pay $20 to perform a sexual act on an undercover Titusville police officer in Space View Park.

"Over the last 120 days, you have been aware of the degree of public humiliation this charge has brought," the seven-year Republican lawmaker told Brevard County Court Judge Oscar Hotusing. "As I stand before you, I can say the totality of it all has been tremendous."

Hotusing ordered Allen to serve six months probation, pay a $250 fine, as well as court costs and $245 restitution to Titusville Police Department for its initial investigation.

I'm betting Allen will still deny that he is gay. His attorney Greg Eisenmenger said there will be an appeal. O.J. Simpson's dream legal team couldn't overturn this ruling.

Allen can not return to Space View Park. He must attend a HIV awareness class and be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Allen must pay a $250 dollar fine and $245 dollar restitution to the Titusville Police Department.

Bill Posey Does Not Heart Bob Allen

Florida State Senator Bill Posey (R) says he doesn't want to beat on Bob Allen while he's down. He then proceeds to beat on Allen. Posey his bewildered as to why Allen hasn't stepped down. Posey has been in politics long enough to know that public humiliation does not equate into the decision-making process of politicians.

Posey will step down because of term limits. He states that Allen has no chance in hell of winning his Senate district. Posey isn't helping matters by refusing to endorse him.

“I don’t think there’s any chance that that’s going to happen,” Posey said Tuesday. “There’s probably only about 500,000 people in Brevard County (population 550,000) that would have a better chance of winning at this point.”

Solicitation of prostitution is a misdemeanor. Several politicians have been charged with driving under the influence including George W. Bush). Driving while intoxicated carries far more serious consequences than a man paying to perform fellatio on another man. The chances of a drunk man killing another motorist is greater than Allen making a guy cum too hard.

Republicans treat gay men, in the party, as if they have leprosy. They publicly protested Bill Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" military policy. The hypocrisy is the same policy is instituted within the GOP. The reason why conservatives shout on radio and cable talk shows is words speak louder to them than actual actions. Leading by example morphed into bellowing morality at deafening levels. It isn't productive, but it makes bad theatre. Dinner theatre performer Bill O'Reilly will wag his finger at pornstar Jenna Jameson and inform her that people call her a whore. He will proceed to hiton her and hit her up for free porn videos.

Words. Not actions. It doesn't matter if prominent conservatives are moral, just that they makes others feel shitty about how immoral they are.

The Bob Allen Tragedy

The Bob Allen trapped in the bathroom stall story has lost it's newsworthy luster. Allen and the controversy should have faded into oblivion. The politician's career will fade into obscurity soon enough. Contrary to Allen's desire to seek public office.

This is no longer about the hypocrisy of Allen's behavior vs his legislation of a bill to increase penalties against public lewdness offenders. Allen is part of the celebrity surreal zone with fellow inhabitants Britney Spears and Lindsey Lohan. We are following the Allen saga because it's fun to watch a famous person utterly clueless about his spiraling downfall.

Allen wants to save a reputation beyond repair. Republicans want him to leave the legislature and go back to hiding in the closet. What hasn't been discussed is the impact the media exposure has on Allen's family or the painful struggle many gay conservative men have about their sexuality. What makes a man make laws against behavior he partakes in?

Gay conservative men aren't about to come out of the closet after witnessing the public crucifixion of Allen and Larry Craig. The openly gay Andrew Sullivan is not the norm in the Right-wing movement. Jeff Gannon, Mark Foley and Ted Haggard shows a pattern of men that understand their peers would not accept them for whom they really are. They go to great pains to hide lifestyles that involved minors and prostitution. They live on the edges of gay culture because mainstream homosexuality would force them to confront their true selves. Bob Allen can't walk into a gay bar out of fear he would be recognized or perhaps because he believes he is a red-blooded hetrosexual football-loving alpha male. Happily married straight men don't go cruising public parks seeking to perform oral sex on other men.

Denial is like a narcotic drug. It is a bitch to kick once someone is hooked.

Bob Allen Watch

Bob Allen's trial is set for November 5th. I see no way he is going to beat the rap. Has he been watching Larrry Craig and thinking that is the proper way to do damage control?

Even if Allen wins the Christian Right will still be suspicious of him. They would still back him over a Democrat, but Allen's political career is over. He needs to deal with the reality of his sexuality and his career.

Bob Allen Does More Denying

Bob Allen is denying that he attempted to use his position as a State Senator to avoid arrest. Allen asked the arresting officer if it would make a difference if he was a State Senator. The officer said no. Allen dug himself a bigger hole with public comments.

"I said, 'I don't know if it makes a difference, but when you get to the car you'll see I'm a state legislator,' " Allen said he told the officers, referring to a special tag in the vehicle.

Allen's attorneys is attempting to have this statement thrown out of the trial.

It amazes me that Allen is fighting this. Does he not understand that his homosexuality is out in the open and the Republican Party wants nothing to do with him. His political career is over. Yet, he continues to fight and make matters worse. This man is so ashamed of who he is that he can't even admit to himself that he is gay.

Quote of the Day

“I’m waiting for the politics to say it’s OK to hug Bob Allen again — and they will.”

Bob Allen

Sometimes comedy material just writes itself.

Bob Allen Trial Delayed

The Bob Allen trial has been postponed until November 5th. Defense attorneys want a jury pool to reflect all of Breward County.

Allen's attorney Greg Eisenmenger said it would "not be realistic" to seat a jury for the trial moved to Nov. 5 without a pool of least 100 jurors from across Brevard.

This is a lot of trouble for a misdemeanor charge. Judges wouldn't be this lenient for an average citizen.

The defense got a major break. The infamous tape recording of Assistant Chief John Lau will not be used in court.

Allen has been charged with soliciting from a male undercover police officer.

The Bob Allen PR Makeover

Bob Allen is going on the Trent Lott tour of shame to let black people know he is not a racist.

"If there is one thing I hope, it's that you know that is not me," the embattled legislator said during a meeting of the North Brevard branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

"I really do apologize if it sounded that way."

Here is the entire audio of Allen's police interview.

Money quote.

“This was a pretty stocky black guy, and there was nothing but other black guys around in the park.”

Rubio vs. Allen

Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio has removed Bob Allen as Chairman of the Energy Commission.

Said Rubio: “The House will continue to respect Rep. Allen’s right to defend himself against the charges which arose when he was arrested on July 11. However, we must acknowledge that in addition to being a private citizen, he is a public official. As such, we are judged by a higher standard than procedural innocence. The mere perception of impropriety can interfere with our official function. It is my personal belief that because of the allegations against him, Rep. Allen can no longer effectively serve the people of his district in the Florida House.”

Allen maintains his innocence.

"I haven't even had my first day in court yet...Totalitarian governments are famous for the police making the charge and the conviction. That's not America. I would think this leadership more than anyone would think that we don't want to copy totalitarian governments but copy American principles."

Is it me or is Allen sounding as whacky as Ralph Nader?

Why Bob Allen Should Tell the Truth

Sunny is calling for Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio to fire Bob Allen. Technically, Rubio doesn't have the power. Allen's charge is a misdemeanor and elected by his constituents. Rubio could call for the House to remove Allen. The chances of that are slim. Former Senate President Tom Lee (R) never made an attempt to remove Democrat and convicted felon Gary Siplin.

I would rather see Allen come to terms with his sexuality. With the exception of Mark Foley's actions against minors - I am not in favor of bloggers playing sexual moral police. It would be better if Allen came clean about his deeds and sexuality. I am not condoning Allen's actions, but my concern is that homosexuality will be viewed as criminal behavior. It is not.

If Allen continues to be disingenuous then his political career is over. What Marco Rubio does really won't matter in the long run. Allen will still be a repressed homosexual man that can't be honest about who he is. Telling the truth is more important to Allen's personal well-being than his long-term political aspirations.

Daily Show on Bob Allen

Update: Marco Rubio responds. Allen's explanation.

House Speaker Marco Rubio just released a statement on the Rep. Bob Allen situation, saying the release of Allen's post-arrest statement "injects a new and very disturbing element to an already troubling incident. The Florida House of Representatives will continue to gather all pertinent information. We will reserve action on this matter until all the facts are made available to us.”

Rubio is vague about what he found "disturbing."

Bob Allen's Scary Black Guy Defense

Republican family values guy Bob Allen was arrested attempting to pay an undercover officer to give him a blowjob. Allen's reasoning is hysterical. This is what he told police after his arrest.

“This was a pretty stocky black guy, and there was nothing but other black guys around in the park,” Allen, who is white, told police in a taped statement after his arrest. Allen said he feared he “was about to be a statistic” and would have said anything just to get away.

So he is telling the cops that he is a punk bitch. Not a gay man. That is a message every Republican pol wants to send to conservative voters.

Bob Allen Arrest Report

The Bob Allen arrest report has been released. Here is what the arresting officer wrote:

On 11 July 2007 at approximately 1533 hours I was conducting a plain clothes investigation in the area of 10 Broad Street (Space View Park), I observed a white male driving a silver 4 door Toyota pull into the driveway which is a roundabout twice within a matter of moments. I recall this because I was conducting surveillance in an attempt to capture a burglar in a nearby condominium and I was concerned about counter-surveillance. I walked out of the park and when I returned I observed a white male, later identified as Robert Allen, had parked his car on the side of Broad Street and had entered the park on foot. As I walked back to the park I observed Allen leave the restroom and walk towards a park bench. I then entered the bathroom to adjust my police radio. On my way out of the restroom I almost bumped Allen who was on his way into the restroom again. Allen changed his course of direction when he saw that I was leaving the restroom and when back towards the park bench. I talked with the other officers again and then entered and began washing my hands. Allen entered the restroom behind me and proceeded into the first stall. I realized that there was no paper towels to dry my hands so I walked in to the handicapped stall to dry my hands. As I stood in the stall drying my hands I observed Allen look over the door of my stall and make eye contact with me. Allen then stepped away and then came back to the door of my stall and looked in, making eye contact with me again. I said "hey buddy" and Allen said "hi" and then stepped away again. About 5 seconds later Allen pushed open the door of my stall and stepped inside. I was standing against the far wall of the stall. Allen closed the door behind him and stood against it. I said "what's up" and Allen said "hi". Allen then said "this is kind of a public place isn't it, I said "do you have somewhere else we can go". Allen said "How about across the bridge, it's quite(sp) over there". Allen engaged me in a conversation in which it was agreed that he would pay me $20.00 to perform a "blow job" on me. Allen stated that he wanted me to ride with him across the river before he performed the act and gave me the money. Before entering the vechicle I idenified myself as a police officer and detained him.

Allen told officer Kavanaugh's superior that he felt intimidated by his presence. Corporal Barrett asked Allen why he just didn't leave the restroom. Allen didn't give him an answer.

Hat tip to Sunny.

Bob Allen Arrested

It always amazes me that conservatives are so repressed about their own sexuality. Especially when it comes to homosexuality. Bob Allen appears to be another Republican denying his true self.

TITUSVILLE - State Rep. Bob Allen was arrested Wednesday after offering to perform oral sex for $20 on an undercover male police officer, authorities said.

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

Allen is fighting the charge. He is going the Jimmy Swaggart route with the display of tears.

''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 will have to explain why he came in and out of the public restroom 3 times and approached the undercover officer. Perhaps that $20.00 bill Allen handed the officer was for the police pension fund.

The Veteran's Memorial Park restroom was under surveillance. It is unknown if Allen was caught on videotape.

Update: things get more interesting. Marco Rubio must decide if any disciplinary measures will be taken against Allen. I betting that Rubio waits to the courts reach a verdict on Allen's case. Both parties of the Florida legislature is bad at policing themselves. See Siplin, Gary.