Rep. Bob Allen during the opening of the special session Wednesday morning. (Times photo | Scott Keeler)

He may have been stripped of committee assignments and banished to the rear of the chamber, but the Merritt Island Republican is standing against his critics.

Allen, whose sex solicitation arrest has been made into a nationwide joke, is present for the opening session ceremony and spent time greeting fellow lawmakers. He even appeared to flash a thumbs-up toward the Speaker's rostrum.

Allen has resisted pressure to resign from office, insisting that the allegations are not as they seem. The case is pending trial. But Allen has already been removed from leadership positions and had his seat moved to the rear of the room, next to Democrat Maria Sachs.

"I'm one of the 120 members of the House and I'm doing my duty," Allen told reporters after the session let out. He pointed to a large stack of papers, including a folder with the label "property taxes." As for his new seat, Allen showed he can spin as good as any politician. "This is really not a bad seat at all. You get to see the whole House in operation. ... Before I always had to turn around and listen."