As the cold weather moves into Florida this weekend, the legal system proved chilly to Bob Allen during his sentencing Thursday.Although his sentence kept the state legislator out of jail, the judge withheld adjudication, which will allow Allen to expunge the charge from his criminal record somewhere down the line.
(What the judge didn't tell you, Bob....from this day forward--with every single employment application or request for clearance--the questions of "Have you ever had a charge withheld or expunged?" will leap off the page for your reply).
It's never really over.
Allen's "I'm not number one" extended finger to the pavement says it all...
...he's been kicked to the political curb.
4 comments:
Sunny,
Once again, Bob Allen has snookered us. Despite the Florida Today headline, Bob Allen has NOT resigned from the Florida House!
Yesterday, the Speaker of the House, Marco Rubio, issued an ultimatum to Bob, “resign by close of business today (5:00pm) or a House committee will be formed to investigate and explel you from the House.” At 4:43pm this afternoon Bob responded to the ultimatum with his version of a resignation letter.
In a classic Bob Allen move, Bob crafted a letter which was modeled after the “resignation” of US Senator Larry Craig. Instead of simply resigning, Bob notified the Speaker that “I will need to resign my elected position …effective February 15, 2008, or when the Secretary of State can certify a replacement through a General Election.” Bob simply announced his intention to resign on February 15, not actually resign on February 15th.
In other words, Bob’s resignation is effective February 15th OR when a replacement is certified through a General Election. The next General Election is not until November 4, 2008. Bob’s resignation does not say “whichever date comes first” . Section 97.021(8), Fla. Stat. Likewise, general election is defined as the "election held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November...for the purpose of filling national, state, county, and district offices...."
Bob’s letter is simply a deceptive ploy to buy more time to have his appeal heard by the court before the Florida House takes action to remove him from office.
The Florida Attorney General’s web site cites in a 1934 opinion issued by the Florida Supreme Court that “a constitutional officer may , under special conditions, rescind his resignation before the effective date of such resignation” . Florida Attorney General's website
It is Bob’s hope that he will win his case on appeal and rescind his resignation before February 15th.
Further, Bob’s resignation was sent to the Speaker of Florida House, not the Florida Secretary of State as required by State law. Therefore his “resignation” is not legally binding.
Once again, Bob has dodged the bullet, deceived the Florida House, the media, and the general public.
Bob Allen is not going anywhere. Mark my words, on February 16th, Bob will still be in office!
Gloria123
Gloria, you are so right! Let's bring your comment real attention.
Look for my post later this morning.
Looking forward to it.
By the way, congratulations on being accepted in the Political Grind. You do a great job!
Gloria123
Hey...thanks!
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