E. Bert Riddle

E. Bert Riddle (September 17, 1893[2] – March 17, 1979) was an American politician. He served as a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives.[3] He also served as a member for the 3rd district of the Florida Senate.[4]

E. Bert Riddle
Riddle in 1961
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
In office
1921
In office
1941
In office
1961 – May 24, 1961[1]
Member of the Florida Senate from the 3rd district
In office
1945–1947
Personal details
Born(1893-09-17)September 17, 1893
DiedMarch 17, 1979(1979-03-17) (aged 85)
Political partyDemocratic

Riddle was arrested on moral charges in October 1947 for improper conduct towards a 12-year-old girl in the school where he was principle.[5] He had already resigned as principle at the time of his arrest.[5] He was tried the same month on October 23, found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison.[6] He appealed the sentence to the Florida Supreme court and in January 1948 he qualified to stand for re-election to the senate.[7] He lost both his bid for re-election and his appeal June 1948.[8]

In January 1960 Riddle declared that he was going to run again for his senate seat,[9] but in May he lost to Clyde Galloway.[10] He then stood again for the House in the 1961 special general election in Broward County, Florida[11] which he won in February.[12]

Riddle was expelled unanimously from the House May 24, 1961 after being accused of sending an indecent note to a 12-year-old female page.[13][1] He was taken into custody by the police on leaving the chamber but was later released with no formal charges.[14]

He died on March 17, 1979, at the age of 65 at his home in Holmes County, Florida. He was survived by his wife, Ethel Riddle, and seven of his children.[15]

References
  1. "The People of Lawmaking Florida 1822 – 2019" (PDF), Florida Legislature, February 2019
  2. Florida Highways: Volume 13, J. E. Robinson, 1944
  3. Ward, Robert (August 3, 2011). "Membership of the Florida House of Representatives by County 1845-2012" (PDF). Florida House of Representatives. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 16, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2023 – via Wayback Machine.
  4. "Florida Senators 1845-2001". Archived from the original on March 19, 2007. Retrieved July 29, 2023 – via Wayback Machine. open access
  5. "Senator Arrested On Moral Charges". The Tampa Times. 10 October 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  6. "Preacher-Senator Gets Prison Term on Moral Charges". The Waco News-Tribune. 24 October 1947. p. 17. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
  7. "Sentenced Solon Seeks Re-Election". The Columbus Ledger. 1 February 1948. p. 5. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
  8. "Riddle Penalty Upheld By Court". Tallahassee Democrat. 30 June 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
  9. "Bert Riddle To Run Again". Tallahassee Democrat. 27 January 1960. p. 14. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
  10. "Senate Gets Three New Faces While Four In House Ousted". The Orlando Sentinel. 26 May 1960. p. 19. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
  11. "Broward, Walton County General Election Set". The Tampa Tribune. 7 January 1961. p. 9. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
  12. "Riddle, David Win State Posts". The Miami Herald. 9 February 1961. p. 25. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
  13. "LEGISLATURE RARELY PUNISHES ONE OF ITS OWN". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  14. "Riddle Is Expelled On Moral Charge". News-Press. 25 May 1961. p. 1. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
  15. "Obituary for E. Bert Riddle". The Pensacola News. 19 March 1979. p. 4. Retrieved 29 July 2023. open access
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