Florida Rep. Robert Allen, who is out on bond after being arrested for soliciting an undercover officer for a sexual act, cosponsored a public lewdness bill filed back in January.
Titusville police arrested Allen Wednesday at Veteran's Memorial Park.
They said they had undercover officers doing surveillance of the park and noticed a man in the park acting suspiciously.
Police said they drove through the park twice and Allen went in and out of the park restroom three times.
Police sent a plainclothes officer to check it out and that was when Allen offered to perform a sex act on the male officer for $20.
Allen was arrested and charged with solicitation for prostitution -- a second degree misdemeanor.
The Clerk’s office for the Florida House of Representatives confirmed to News 13 that Rep. Bob Allen was a cosponsor of a bill increasing penalties for public “Lewdness and Indecent Exposure.”
According to legislative documents, the bill would have made it second degree felonies for public exposure and “unnatural and lascivious” acts with another person within 1,000 feet of public parks, as well as other public locations such as schools, child care centers, public beaches and community centers. It also would have made it easier for police to arrest someone for these crimes.
Currently, there are no specific penalties as to where the crimes are committed. Public exposure and “unnatural and lascivious” acts with another person are misdemeanors. For an arrest to be made, the crimes must be committed in the presence of an officer.
The bill and similar Senate bills did not pass in the 2007 session of the legislature.
The bill was first filed on January 16, 2007.
Lawyers for Allen said it is a big misunderstanding.
House speaker Marco Rubio released a statement Thursday on Allen’s arrest.
In the statement he said:
"The charge against Rep. Allen is serious. Because it is a misdemeanor, not a felony, the House rules don't provide for a specific response in the event that he is found to be guilty. Rep. Allen has advised that he intends to defend himself vigorously. That is his right and the House will respect that right. We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate steps if necessary."