Robert Bentley turns over ALEA report criticizing Spencer Collier for absenteeism, spending

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Then-Alabama Secretary of Homeland Security Spencer Collier speaks at a press conference in 2013 [Photo Credit: Governor’s Office, Jamie Martin]

Gov. Robert Bentley turned over a 1,600-page filing with a committee looking into his impeachment last week, which included a 63-page report criticizing former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) director Spencer Collier‘s job performance, offering new insights into his March 2016 firing.

The report was the product of a months-long investigation by April Bickhaus, a special agent with ALEA’s Integrity Unit, which she began in February 2015.

It includes quotes from ALEA employees and paints a picture of habitual absenteeism, a misuse of state funds and mismanagement in the office, and poor hiring decisions. It also included allegations of sexual harassment, prescription drug abuse, and falsifying time sheets.
Among its findings, the report claims upon review of entry records, Collier’s key card was used to access the ALEA’s Montgomery headquarters only 20 days in the six-month period before his termination.
It also indicated a problem with the amount of weapons Collier purchased, and the process in which he did so.

“Weapons stand out to us because this particular individual bought a lot of weapons, more than the average employee,” the report quotes ALEA Accounting Director Jennifer Frost having said. “For him to just go to Gulf States (Distributors) and buy weapons and accessories without a (purchase order), and purchase these items through the ALEA account held at Gulf States is clearly wrong.”

Collier, who said allegations Bentley used state funds to pursue an affair with former senior aide Rebekah Caldwell Mason led to his investigation, denies the charges made against him in the report.

“This is probably the sleaziest politics that I have ever seen,” Collier said in a statement. “One witness in this report has recanted and others will. Stan Stabler and Michael Robinson threatened employees, lied to them and intimidated them to say whatever was needed to fit the narrative.”

Read the entire ALEA report below:

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