Poltics

State rep is accused of offering oral sex

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published July 12, 2007

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.

He has been charged with solicitation for prostitution, which has a maximum penalty of one year in jail. Allen was booked into the Brevard County jail on $500 bond.

Telephone and e-mail messages left by the Associated Press were not immediately returned. It was not known if he had an attorney.

While being transported to jail, Allen told WFTV-Ch. 9 that the situation was "a very big misunderstanding."

Allen, a married father of one, was elected to the Florida House in 2000. He was chairman of the House Committee on Energy.

[Last modified July 12, 2007, 00:31:03]