Alabama Seeks To Impeach Governor Bentley Amidst Sex Scandal
Amidst allegations of a sex scandal, including steamy audio recordings, a divorce from his long-time wife, and the resignation of his aide, Rebekah Mason, Gov. Bentley has refused to resign, saying he’s done nothing illegal. Republican Rep. Ed Henry will be filing an impeachment resolution Tuesday when the Alabama legislature convenes, according to CNN.
“We’re looking at this governor who has essentially betrayed the trust of the people of Alabama through actions and lies that have caused us to have some doubt about his leadership.”
Although Gov. Bentley admits to the inappropriate conversation, he and his closest advisor, Rebekah Mason, have both denied having a physical affair. Explicit audio recordings in Bentley’s own voice tell a different story.
“When I stand behind you, and I put my arms around you, and I put my hands on your breasts, and I put my hands (unintelligible) and just pull you real close. I love that, too.”
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the story broke wide open when Spencer Collier, the former head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, was fired in March 2015. Collier contended he was wrongfully dismissed and quickly made public the affair between Gov. Bentley and his aide, Rebekah Mason. Collier said that one of the personal security staff had intercepted an inappropriate text message between Bentley and Mason in 2014. Soon after, a family member came forward with the sexy audio recordings. The family had been making audio recordings, trying to decipher the relationship between Gov. Bentley and Rebekah Mason. Collier says he gave counsel to Gov. Bentley regarding the legal implications.
Bentley allegedly admitted to the affair and told Collier he would end the relationship, but he recanted the next day, saying he was unable to follow through. Gov. Bentley’s wife of 50 years abruptly filed for divorce shortly afterwards, citing an “irretrievable breakdown.” The story flew under the radar until the dismissal of Collier and his broken loyalty to the governor.
Rebekah Mason, who is also married and much younger than the governor, resigned from her position last week.
“My only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly. They are the most important people in my life. Thank you for your prayers for our family.”
“I’ve asked God to forgive me because that’s the most important thing. I want back in his fellowship. And so I asked God to forgive me.”
It appears the people of Alabama don’t want to fellowship with Bentley anymore. Legislators and citizens from both parties are calling for his resignation. Henry says Bentley has betrayed the trust of Alabama and has done “nothing but lie and deceive the people of America.”
.@Ed_Henry_HD9 on filing articles of impeachment against Alabama Gov. Bentley #alpolitics https://t.co/ZWtc96Uejw pic.twitter.com/hJzu7CBrhT
— ABC 33/40 News (@abc3340) April 5, 2016
Gov. Bentley, who started his second term in 2014, has dug his heels in, though, and won’t be leaving on his own accord anytime soon.
“I have truly asked the people of this state, that are the most loving and the best people in the world, I have asked them to forgive me. It’s mine. I own it. I did it. I point no fingers at anybody else.”
According to the Alabama Constitution, impeachment charges can include moral turpitude and willful neglect of duty and corruption. The state government of Alabama does not permit the recall of state officials, so articles of impeachment must be brought forward by the state House of Representatives. If there is enough support, it is then sent to the House Rules Committee for consideration. The Senate would act as the jury on the impeachment.
If impeached, Gov. Bentley would be the first in Alabama history to be sent packing and only the ninth in the United States.
[Photo by Steve Helber/AP]
