Alabama Governor Facing Impeachment Over Alleged Affair With Former Staffer

The local Gannett-owned newspaper in Alabama is reporting that Alabama's embattled Republican governor, Robert Bentley, is now facing potential impeachment proceedings by state lawmakers after allegations surfaced that he had an extra-marital affair with a former staff member. A 5-page resolution calling for Gov. Bentley's impeachment charges him with "willful neglect of duty," "corruption in office," "incompetency" and "offenses of moral turpitude."

The resolution was filed by State Rep. Ed Henry, a Republican lawmaker. Gov. Bentley had admitted to making inappropriate comments to the former staff member, Rebekah Mason, whom he fired last month, but both Bentley and Mason deny they had a sexual relationship. Bentley and his wife were divorced last year after 50 years of marriage. Alabama's former Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier has accused the governor of using state resources to pursue the affair, a charge denied by Bentley.

The impeachment proceedings against Bentley begin just as the Speaker of the Alabama House is prepared to go on trial for public corruption charges. Speaker Mike Hubbard faces charges he misused his office for personal gain and solicited gifts from lobbyists, a common practice by some of our elected officials in Indiana that never results in prosecution. Hubbard has refused to resign as Speaker.