Important Events in Bentley’s Tenure as Alabama Governor (Associated Press) Robert Bentley, Alabama Governor, Resigns Amid Scandal (New York Times) Robert Bentley: An Unlikely Governor … An Unexpected End (Montgomery Advertiser) Spencer Collier: Bentley finally got what he deserved (AL.com) Why It Took Alabama’s Governor So Long to Resign (Governing) Alabama Governor Resigns Under Threat
Alabama started Monday morning facing a week of impeachment hearings expected to center on sordid details of the governor’s relationship with an aide and his use of law enforcement to cover it up. But by the end of the day, the state had a new chief executive who pledged to “steady the ship of state,” and former Gov. Robert Bentley had fingerprints and a mug shot on file at the Montgomery County jail. Bentley resigned Monday afternoon and took a deal to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges stemming from information the state Ethics Commission handed over to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office last week. Read more.
Kay Ivey made history in 2002 when she became the first Republican elected state treasurer since Reconstruction. She made history again Monday when she became the second woman to hold the office of governor in Alabama. Ivey succeeded Gov. Robert Bentley, who resigned from the office amid threats of impeachment and looming criminal charges tied to his relationship with adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason. Read more.
Kay Ivey was sworn in as the 54th governor of Alabama this afternoon in a ceremony in the old Senate Chambers of the capitol building. Ivey, who takes office after former Gov. Robert Bentley’s resignation, said, “Today is both a dark day in Alabama, yet also it’s one of opportunity.” Read more.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has officially resigned from office and Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey will be sworn in to take his place at 6 p.m. The governor in a speech shortly after 5 p.m. said, “The time has come for me to look for new ways to serve the great people of our state. I’ve decided it’s time to step down as governor.” Bentley said that although he would be leaving his office today, his administration would be working with Kay Ivey’s administration to provide any assistance needed for a smooth transition. “Thank you, goodbye, and I love this state from the bottom of my heart,” Bentley concluded.
Guide to Bentley Impeachment Actions Look here for a roundup of news coverage about Gov. Robert Bentley's impeachment hearings and resources related to the case. ALGOP Leadership Calls on Gov. Bentley to Resign Immediately (WSFA) Meet the Judiciary Committee (BirminghamWatch) Listen to audio of the Judiciary Committee meeting and impeachment hearings, which begin at 10 a.m. LINK TO EVIDENCE Alabama Governor Faces Impeachment Hearing in Scandal of Sex and Power Historic Impeachment Hearings Set to Begin Monday (Montgomery Advertiser) Accusations in Alabama Governor Impeachment Investigation (Associated Press) What to Know About the Bentley Investigations (Decatur Daily)
Fifteen members of the House Judiciary Committee are set to begin hearing testimony Monday morning to determine whether to impeach Gov. Robert Bentley. If the committee votes for impeachment, the issue would go before the full House. If members there voted for impeachment, Bentley would be suspended from his job as governor and face trial by the state Senate. If two-third of senators voted to convict Bentley, he would be removed from office. It all starts with the Judiciary Committee. Read more.
Look here for roundup of news coverage about Gov. Robert Bentley's impeachment hearings and related actions. Alabama Governor Faces Impeachment Hearings After Ruling (Associated Press) Impeachment Report Alleges Bentley Used Officers to Try to Hide Relationship (BirminghamWatch) See the full impeachment investigation and exhibits. The Salacious Affair Saga of Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley Is About to Get Really Serious (Washington Post) Alabama Supreme Court Lifts Bentley Impeachment Stay (Montgomery Advertiser) Bentley Impeachment Hearings to Proceed Monday After Court Ruling (Anniston Star) Economist: Bentley Investigation Stalling State Business (WAFF)
Gov. Robert Bentley used law enforcement personnel to benefit himself personally and to protect his reputation, according to conclusions of the House Judiciary Committee’s special counsel in a report released Friday. The 131-page report and about 3,000 pages of exhibits detail multiple incidents in which Bentley is alleged to have used officers to stifle rumors he was having an affair with a staffer. Read more.
The special counsel to the state House Judiciary Committee today released his report in the impeachment investigation of Gov. Robert Bentley. Special counsel Jack Sharman concludes that Bentley did have an inappropriate relationship with an aide and then used state law enforcement officers in an effort to cover it up. The 131-page report can be read in full here..
