Jim Zeigler says Robert Bentley impeachment proceedings ‘too slow’
State Auditor jim Zeigler is champing at the bit to impeach embattled Gov. Robert Bentley. A legislative panel will convene on June 15 to begin an investigation into allegations Bentley misused his office and made “inappropriate” advances toward a former advisor. But Zeigler said Wednesday he is “disappointed” the proceedings are taking so long. The House Judiciary Committee will get the ball rolling in terms of formal impeachment this month, but Zeigler said that avenue ignores other methods of investigating and punishing the governor for high crimes and misdemeanors. “The citizens of Alabama are weary of the Bentley problems,” said Zeigler. “They want the air cleared on the Bentley administration soon. It appears that an impeachment investigation would not report its results to the full House until February, 2017 when the regular session starts.” “The people of Alabama do not want to wait until 2017 to clear the clouds over the governor’s office. They want something done now, or at least in the next few months. I agree,” Zeigler said. “It is unfair to the taxpayers for their state government to have to operate under a cloud.” Zeigler has filed a separate complaint against Bentley via the state ethics commission. He attempted to subpoena Bentley amid those proceedings, claiming he had the statutory authority to force the governor to appear before a public meeting in his office. Bentley claimed his office did not have the proper authority, and did not appear at a scheduled meeting. Presumably Zeigler still wants to see the impeachment effort to proceed by that avenue, though he said state law prevents him from discussing the matter.
Jury being selected in Mike Hubbard corruption case
Jury selection began Monday in the corruption trial of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, who is charged with violating the tough state ethics law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature he helped bring to power nearly six years ago. Hubbard is accused of using his office as House speaker and past position as Alabama Republican Party chairman to benefit his clients and businesses — 23 felony ethics charges in all, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He has maintained his innocence and said his transactions were legal. During legislative sessions, Hubbard, 54, presides with gavel in hand over the Alabama House of Representatives as one of the most powerful politicians in the Deep South state. On Monday, he sat flanked by defense lawyers in a wood-paneled courtroom, looking over at the potential jurors who could decide whether he continues in power or goes to prison. Attorneys began questioning nearly 100 prospective jurors on Monday ahead of opening statements next week. Most said they had read or seen news stories about the case, which has dominated headlines in Alabama since Hubbard’s indictment in 2014. Two potential jurors raised their hands when asked if they already had a fixed opinion about his guilt or innocence. Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker read off the list of potential witnesses that includes some of the most prominent names in state politics and business. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, former Gov. Bob Riley and many Alabama lawmakers are expected to be called by the prosecution to testify. Bentley himself is weathering a scandal, facing calls for his impeachment after the exposure of his relationship with a former aide. Meanwhile, Chief Justice Roy Moore has been suspended over accusations that he violated judicial ethics by trying to block same-sex weddings, despite the U.S. Supreme Court decision effectively legalizing gay marriage. Hubbard, first elected to the House in 1998, lashed out at what he called a culture of corruption in state government as he led the Republican takeover in 2010, ending 136 years of Democratic control of the Alabama legislature. One of their first actions with Hubbard as speaker was to pass the tough new ethics law. Hubbard is accused of steering GOP campaign printing work to one of his companies; asking lobbyists and corporate leaders for employment, investments or help finding clients; lobbying the governor’s office on behalf of one of his clients; and taking legislative action that could have steered Medicaid pharmacy business to a client of one of his companies. Prosecutors have painted Hubbard as a politician consumed by greed as he ascended to the top of the state’s political hierarchy. They are expected to introduce emails he sent that make him seem desperate for more work and investments. His defense has suggested that prosecutors are stretching the bounds of the ethics law and trying to criminalize Hubbard’s efforts to make a living. Defense lawyer David McKnight described Hubbard as a salesman and entrepreneur who also happens to be a politician. He asked potential jurors if they ever sent an email they wouldn’t want read aloud in front of strangers, or if they would be offended by emails with “pushy” salesman language. “Admittedly you are going to see some emails where he’s trying to get more business, trying to get more clients, trying to get more customers,” McKnight said. Hubbard has said little about the corruption case in public since a judge issued a gag order. “I’m confident when the truth comes out that I will be exonerated and my name cleared.” Hubbard told The Associated Press in January. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Survey: Robert Bentley’s approval ratings steady at 46 percent; 45 percent disapprove
Embattled Gov. Robert Bentley may be political dead meat according to his most ardent foes in Montgomery, but a new poll out Thursday shows voters are split on the issue. Bentley’s approval rating, 46 percent, actually slightly surpassed his disapproval rating. 45 percent of Alabama voters, meanwhile, said they disapprove of the governor. The firm responsible for the new data, Morning Consult, speculated one reason voters’ opinions lagged behind conventional statehouse wisdom was that the allegations were that Bentley made “inappropriate” remarks to a former staffer and adviser only emerged recently. “In Bentley’s case, news about his possible impeachment is recent, which may explain why he has yet to be affected,” read a release from the group. News of the Bentley administration scandal broke in early April. Despite lumbering through an ongoing political scandal that has rocked Montgomery and let several high-ranking officials wondering aloud about impeachment proceedings, Bentley’s approval ratings are actually higher than several of his gubernatorial counterparts. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback topped the list of opinion losers in the survey, with some 65 percent of respondents saying they disapprove of the governor. Critics of the Republican governor say his experiment in fiscal conservatism — including slashing taxes and social spending — have tanked the state’s economy. Number two on the list was Connecticut Democrat Gov. Dan Malloy, who has suffered due to discontent with his handling of the state budget and a weak state economy. 64 percent disapproved of his performance. Republican Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder rounded out the top three, the only other governor who topped a 60 percent disapproval rating, amid the infamous Flint, MI water crisis which has seen a national furor over deal poisoning in the city’s drinking water supply.
Jim Zeigler blasts Robert Bentley for invoking Bible in op-ed
State Auditor Jim Zeigler — he of multitudes of jabs at the governor — was back at it again Monday. Zeigler slammed embattled Gov. Robert Bentley for citing Holy Scripture in a recent editorial he wrote in favor of prison reform favored by his administration and his allies in the Legislature. Bentley declared in the memo he “does not intend to be a caretaker governor,” saying he will take bold actions to ensure a reform of Alabama’s ailing prison system is modernized and accountability is enacted. Borrowing a line from the Book of Proverbs, Bentley reminded readers: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Zeigler took umbrage that Bentley — currently under investigation by state authorities for making “inappropriate” comments allegedly of a sexual nature to a former staffer, who has since been fired — would invoke the Good Book to make a political point. “I wish he would read the verses about: Confession. Repentance,” Zeigler said in a memo released Monday. “Be sure your sins will find you out. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. Thou shalt not covet,” continued Zeigler. The comments left no doubt he was criticizing Bentley’s invocation on grounds of the governor’s personal peccadillos. The long and winding saga of Zeigler vs. Bentley is still very much ongoing. Bentley recently threw his weight behind legislation that would give the governor’s office authority to appoint — or, in this case, un-appoint — both the Commissioner of Agriculture and the State Auditor, the unique ombudsman-like Cabinet post Zeigler occupies. Zeigler, for his part, has proposed creating a “executive recall” mechanism that would allow 10 percent of registered Alabama voters oust the governor and hold a special election to replace him or her. Zeigler will also continue his public relations campaign against Bentley on a conservative Huntsville talk radio program Monday evening.
Jim Zeigler hoping for public showdown with Robert Bentley over ethics violations
On May 2, State Auditor Jim Zeigler “will be in my office at 10 a.m. with a court reporter, and a Bible to swear in the Governor.” Zeigler plans to grill Gov. Robert Bentley about accusations the governor misused public resources during an affair with a former adviser, the recently dismissed Rebekah Mason. On Monday Zeigler upped the stakes yet again, saying state law allows — indeed requires — the entire State Auditor’s probe to be open to the press and the public. Zeigler initially announced he would take Bentley’s testimony behind closed doors, presumably to spare the governor a modicum of disgrace. But after conducting some legal research, Zeigler said, the investigation is subject to open-government laws and must be done in full view of the public. “It is the public’s business, and we will allow news media and citizens to attend,” said Zeigler. Bentley, for his part, does not appear likely to show up. The governor has mostly ignored Zeigler’s request for an appearance in his office at the Capitol, though he did issue the following: “The appropriate legal process is through the Alabama Ethics Commission where the Auditor has already filed a complaint, and we are fully cooperating in every way,” said Bentley. “I do not intend to respond further to Mr. Zeigler.” The standoff is the latest in a series of jousting matches between the two fellow Republican members of the state’s executive branch. Bentley is supporting a bill this Legislative Session that would grant the governor power to appoint the State Auditor, revoking the office’s status as an elected position. Zeigler, in turn, has proposed an “executive recall” mechanism that would allow for Bentley to be removed from office via a petition signed by 10 percent of registered voters. In the meantime, Zeigler’s May 2 deadline hangs over the Zeigler-Bentley feud like the sword of Damocles. Zeigler says Code of Alabama statute, 36-16-2, authorizes his office to require just the kind of inquest into Bentley he is seeking. It reads: “The Auditor has authority to require information on oath, to be administered by him, from any person touching any claim or account he is required to audit.” While that seems to leave little room for interpretation, Bentley remains highly unlikely to fulfill Zeigler’s request to appear. Zeigler says he is looking into options regarding enforcement, and will pursue punitive measures should Bentley defy his order. “We will take action after May 2 if the order is not complied with. Since I set the May 2 date and time for compliance, I cannot do anything until that time has passed,” said Zeigler.
Lawmaker’s wife reminisces about Dianne Bentley
Muriel Farley, the wife of Republican Rep. Allen Farley, did some soul searching over the weekend. Farley published a blog post over the weekend waxing nostalgic — and expressing some regret — about her relationship with former Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley, who has faded from the headlines some eight months after her divorce from embattled Gov. Robert Bentley. Rep. Farley, a longtime friend of Bentley’s, had personally been lied to by the governor after rumors of his affair with former staffer Rebekah Mason began to circulate. When more allegations came to light about the governor, media outlets once again started contacting my husband for an interview. Not only were they asking about the letter to [Attorney General Luther Strange], but now they were also very interested in a telephone call Allen received the night of August 31, 2015 from the governor. You see, when the governor called my husband, the world had not heard the audio sext tapes. And, during the governor’s telephone conversation with Allen, he told my husband he had not been involved in an affair and he didn’t believe Allen needed to get Luther involved in it personally. That political impropriety on the governor’s behalf unduly damaged her warm personal relationship with the First Lady, Farley wrote. During an interview with GQ Magazine about the scandal: I explained that Dianne would invite members of the Legislative Spouse’s Club to a monthly bible study along with other lady friends from Tuscaloosa and around Alabama. (I also mentioned that I considered Dianne Bentley my friend.) Jason asked me if I had reached out to my friend Dianne Bentley during this devastating time. I said no. (I actually hung my head in shame and said no.) This stayed on my mind the rest of the day. How could I have not contacted my friend. This lady who lead me in prayer month after month. The sweet grandmother (our First Lady) who would walk the halls of the State House bringing her granddaughter to page, as I had also done with two of our granddaughters and a grandson. Sitting in the gallery of the Alabama State House last Thursday, I asked my friend Danna Standridge if she had reached out to our friend Dianne Bentley. (Danna is the wife of Rep. David Standridge.) She is also a member of the Alabama Legislative Spouse’s Club. She said no, but she wanted to. I believe she and I both just didn’t know how or what to say. We were both hurting. But, we decided right there we were going to find out how to contact our friend, and we did. The two gave Dianne Bentley a call and spoke with her from Montgomery, which Farley said was cathartic, but did not fully assuage her guilt over abandoning her erstwhile friend. Despite more bad faith by the governor, Farley writes, she should have been there for her fellow political spouse. Toward the end of our 2014 Legislative Session my husband had a private meeting with Governor Bentley. Allen soon began to understand that the man he had reached out to as a fellow Christian and friend was not who he had believed him to be. And, within a few weeks, Allen’s private meeting with the governor was being absolutely misrepresented on a weekly political talk show. That did it for Allen, he stepped back from the governor he once trusted. Something was definitely different inside the governor’s office and my husband did not want anything to do with someone he knew he could not trust. I know, that is no excuse for me to stop attending Dianne’s bible studies. But, I saw how Governor Robert Bentley had hurt my husband, and I did not want to be in a position to see him and have to pretend everything was alright. However, knowing what I know now, I should have been there. Maybe, just maybe, I could have picked up on something different about her and been there to help. Maybe, just maybe, her eyes didn’t glitter like they had in previous years. Maybe, just maybe, she needed a shoulder to lean on. So, I now regret my poor decision. Farley concludes, simply: “Dianne Bentley, I want you to know that we are in your corner. We are on your side.”
Jim Zeigler pushing constitutional amendment to prevent “raid” of state parks funds
State Auditor Jim Zeigler may occupy the executive branch, but that isn’t stopping him from getting involved in his favored issues during Alabama’s ongoing Legislative Session in Montgomery. Zeigler released a statement Monday night declaring his support for SB 260, a bill that would “stop the raiding of state parks revenues to fund other programs,” as Zeigler put it. Specifically the bill – sponsored by Republican Sen. Clay Scofield – would call for an amendment to the state constitution that would require revenues earned by the parks to stay in the parks’ operating budget. In recent years, state budget writers and Gov. Robert Bentley have chosen to close nearly half a dozen parks and reduce services in others, despite the parks’ general solvency. Funds from the parks have sometimes gone to subsidize other priorities through the Legislature’s general revenue fund. State parks have long been a priority for Zeigler. He recently accused the Bentley administration of mismanaging the parks system and using it as a cudgel against conservatives. “SB 260 is the first step in my plan for the state parks,” said Zeigler. “The parks internally generate around 85 percent of the money needed to operate. With tweaking, the parks can be self-funding, using NO tax dollars — requiring no money from the financially-strapped general fund. The Bentley administration would no longer be able to use the state parks as a political football, threatening closures if tax increases are not passed.”
