Florida Sex Bust Blow To McCain Campaign

Florida state representative Bob Allen held a tearful press conference after being arrested and charged with peddling oral sex for $20 to an undercover officer, the Orlando Sentinel reported last week. Allen is also co-chair for the John McCain presidential campaign in Florida. The McCain campaign, already reeling from the departure of several high-level campaign officials, could not be reached for comment.

Local police were on burglary detail at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Titusville when they noticed a suspicious man walking in and out of the public bathroom. An undercover officer went into a bathroom stall, and moments later Allen approached the stall and offered to perform oral sex on the officer in exchange for $20. The officer took Allen into custody after identifying himself. Allen, a married Republican from Merritt Island, was charged with solicitation to commit prostitution. He was later released after posting $500 bail.

"I am filing a not guilty plea," Allen said at a press conference. "I am going to vigorously fight this. I am not resigning my office, because the people who elected me want me to do a good job, and I am going to do a good job for them in finishing this term.... This is an ugly and unpleasant situation that has been thrust on me and my family. It is not true. It is inaccurate, and therefore [I'm] not guilty, and I will be standing strongly for that."

In March of this year, Allen cosponsored the Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Bill, which outlined enhanced penalties for “offenses involving unnatural and lascivious acts or exposure or exhibition of sexual organs committed within specified distance of certain locations." The bill would also have authorized warrantless arrest for specified violations.

Allen also signed a resolution, adopted in April, that encourages educating parents and children about the dangers of sexual solicitation and abuse.

Six years ago, Allen was one of 21 Florida legislators to sign Gov. Jeb Bush's friend-of-the-court brief supporting the state's ban on gays adopting children. The ban, which is being challenged in court, is still on Florida's books.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Allen, who has a teenage daughter, was a Little League volunteer and has donated time to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida.