House Speaker Mike Hubbard seeks delay in his ethics trial

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Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has asked judge to postpone his October trial on ethics charges.

Lawyers for the powerful Republican filed a motion Sunday asking Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker to continue the trial scheduled for Oct. 19.

Hubbard’s lawyers said numerous pretrial issues have to be resolved by the court. They also said there have been problems with discovery and accessing millions of pages of documents turned over by prosecutors in the case

“The defense has been diligent and conscientious in its investigation and the preparation of this case for trial. Yet, with a 23 count indictment, the defense finds that it has much to do to effectively represent Hubbard at trial,” lawyers for Hubbard wrote.

Hubbard was indicted last year on 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using public offices, as House speaker and his former position as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, for personal gain. Prosecutors have accused Hubbard of using his positions to steer Republican campaign business to his printing companies and to drum up clients and investments for his other companies.

Hubbard has maintained his innocence.

The speaker has previously asked a judge to dismiss the case, arguing grand jury secrecy laws were broken and prosecutors appointed by Attorney General Luther Strange lacked proper legal authority to run the investigation.

Hubbard’s legal team also said they might challenge the constitutionality of the ethics law.

Republished with permission of the Associated Press.