Sen. Phil Williams takes on blogger Bill Britt
Republican state Sen. Phil Williams of Rainbow City responded today to what his office is calling “baseless attacks on his character and law practice” by the Alabama Political Reporter, a state political blog run by Bill Britt. A Jan. 7 article by the Alabama Political Reporter contended that “high-ranking government officials” had confirmed that Williams was under investigation for “possible ethics violations and other related activities.” A news release from Williams’ office noted that the senator had ignored previous defamatory blog posts, even a Dec. 22, 2015, piece in which Britt attacked his father, but took a stand this week when the blogger accused him of being under “criminal investigation.” “Over the past few weeks, a blogger named Bill Britt has written a number of posts attacking not only my character, but also the name of my late father, a highly-decorated Army veteran and revered public servant,” Williams wrote in the news release. “Further, Britt has attacked my law firm and its clients and insinuated I have used my position as a senator for private gain.” According to Williams’ news release, a full inquiry of government and law enforcement turned up no evidence of said investigation. However, to quell such attacks, Williams took the unusual step of contacting the Alabama Ethics Commission on Friday and requested that the agency conduct a full review of his law practice. “At my own insistence they have now received all five years of my client lists and will review them under seal,” Williams stated in the release. Williams is confident that the commission’s review will prove that he has “zero clients with state interests and that his annual statements of economic interest to the Ethics Commission have fully complied with the law.” “I am taking these actions not just for myself, but also for every member of the public domain who has been assaulted by bloggers and rumor-peddlers who believe they can hide behind the false pretense that they are ‘reporting the news,’” Williams added. Britt had little to say on Williams’ decision to go on the offensive this week. “The article(s) speak for themselves,” Britt responded in an email. Here’s the audio statement from Williams:
Roundup of Mike Hubbard ethics trial coverage from this week
Another week another round of hearings and motions in the long-running ethics trial of Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, we thought we’d check out coverage and provide you some links in case you missed the latest headlines and editorials. Hubbard’s lawyer has again filed for a continuance in the case – already delayed for a year and a half – this time because his attorney Mark White has had the “unprecedented privilege and honor” of being named dean of the American Academy of Trial Lawyers and is scheduled to speak to the group in Washington. Former deputy attorney general Sonny Reagan also made headlines by appearing at a pretrial hearing to help Hubbard clear his name, arguing Hubbard should not be held accountable because prosecutors had a vendetta against him. Lots going on here, as you can read on AL.com: Speechless: Lawyer wants to delay Hubbard trial again — to give a speech Hubbard prosecutors object to postponement of trial for lawyer to receive award Mike Hubbard hearings wrap up; both sides claim good week Former deputy AG questioned about conversations with Hubbard associates Prosecutor an angry blowhard? The best nuggets from rich corruption hearing Or in the Montgomery Advertiser: Hearing in Mike Hubbard case turns focus on prosecutors Hubbard hearing on prosecutorial misconduct ends Former Deputy AG: Prosecutor wanted to ‘ruin’ Hubbard Hubbard hearing on prosecutorial misconduct ends Or here on Alabama Today via the AP: Judge to hear Mike Hubbard motions to dismiss ethics case Former deputy AG testifies for Mike Hubbard defense Or on Alabama Political Reporter: Hubbard hearing concludes without fireworks Behind Closed Doors in Lee County as Hearing Concludes Statement from Deputy Attorney General Matt Hart Former Ethics Chief: Hubbard Without Ethics Protection No New Evidence Presented at Hubbard Hearing then there was this story on Yellow Hammer News: Former Alabama Deputy AG testifies that prosecutor wants to ‘ruin’ Hubbard politically We’ll continue to cover the trial as it moves forward.
