Robert Bentley responds to Jim Zeigler’s ethics complaint

Shortly after news broke that State Auditor Jim Zeigler had filed a complaint with the Alabama Ethics Commission, urging the body to investigate the purported affair between Gov. Robert Bentley and staff member Rebekah Mason, the governor responded.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, the governor said the following:

“I have always complied with the ethics laws of the State. In fact, I voluntarily release my tax returns to the public every year in a spirit of openness and transparency. I have always and will continue to cooperate with the Alabama Ethics Commission.”

In the statement, Bentley made no mention of the alleged affair, which he denied vehemently during a press conference Wednesday.