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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Alabama Gov. Facing Impeachment Effort

(CN) - A Republican member of the Alabama House is filing an impeachment resolution against Gov. Robert Bentley in the wake of a scandal involving one the governor's aides.

Rep. Ed Henry, of Hartselle, Ala., said Bentley, who is also a Republican, betrayed the trust of the people of Alabama.

Still, he conceded that his proposal, which is being sent to the House Rules Committee for consideration, may not have widespread support at this time.

"It will be a difficult process," Henry said, before going on to suggest that for the good of all, the governor should resign.

Bentley has denied he had an extramarital affair with a political adviser, but admitted and apologized on March 23 for "inappropriate" comments he made to a female aid two years ago.

The governor's statements, made at a hastily called news conference, came amidst a wild week in Alabama government.

A day earlier, Bentley fired Spencer Collier, the state law enforcement secretary after an internal inquiry at the department.

In a statement, Bentley said the review "found a number of issues, including the possible misuse of state funds."

The next morning, Collier responded with news conference at his lawyer's officer, where he accused the governor of having an inappropriate relationship with adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason. Bentley and his wife divorced last year.

Collier said that since then Mason has been the state's "de facto governor."

"Two years ago I made a mistake," Bentley said while taking questions at the news conference. "At that time I said some inappropriate things, and I know that I did that, so I'm just apologizing for that to her and I'm apologizing to my family and the state of Alabama."

Bentley was adamant, however, that there had been no physical relationship with his adviser. "I want everyone to know though that I have never had a physical affair with Mrs. Mason," said Bentley.

Mason resigned on March 30.

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