Convicted former Speaker Mike Hubbard’s name removed from state legislature website
Former House Speaker Mike Hubbard‘s name has been removed from the Alabama Legislature’s website in the wake of his conviction on ethics charges. A jury convicted Hubbard Friday evening on 12 felony ethics charges. The felony convictions caused Hubbard’s automatic and immediate removal from office. The Legislature’s website was updated to remove Hubbard’s name as the leader of the House of Representatives. His legislative district is listed as vacant in the roster of members. House Speaker Pro Tem Victor Gaston is fulfilling the speaker’s duties. A spokesman for the House of Representatives says the site was updated Monday to reflect the change. A judge will sentence Hubbard on July 8 Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Testimony resumes in Mike Hubbard ethics trial
Testimony resumes Friday in the ethics trial of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard. Prosecutors have accused Hubbard of using his positions as GOP party chairman and house speaker to generate $2.3 million in work and investments for his companies. Hubbard has maintained his innocence and argued the transactions were within the bounds of the state ethics law that includes exemptions for normal business dealings and longstanding friendships. Hubbard would be removed from office automatically if convicted on even one of 23 charges accusing him of using his political positions for personal financial gain. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley testified earlier this week about meetings he had with Hubbard on economic development projects that could have indirectly benefited Hubbard’s business clients. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Robert Bentley arrives to testify in Mike Hubbard ethics trial
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has arrived at a Lee County courthouse to testify in the ethics trial of Alabama House speaker Mike Hubbard. Bentley is expected to be one of the first witnesses Wednesday morning. Prosecutors will ask Bentley about meetings with Hubbard and if Hubbard lobbied him on behalf of a business client. Alabama ethics law prohibits legislators from being paid to lobby executive branch offices. The governor was met at the courthouse by his legal adviser, personal attorney and spokeswoman. Bentley’s testimony is expected to be a dramatic moment in the corruption trial of the Republican speaker. Hubbard faces 23 ethics charges accusing him of using his political positions to make $2.3 million in work and investments. Hubbard has maintained his innocence. However, the Republican governor in recent months has been at the center of his own scandal. Bentley admitted making sexually charged remarks to a former female aide. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Testimony set to resume Tuesday in Mike Hubbard ethics trial
Testimony is set to resume in the ethics trial of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard after the long holiday weekend. Prosecutors have indicated that on Tuesday they will call a number of influential lobbyists and company owners as witnesses. Prosecutors say Hubbard asked them to either make investments in his printing company or to help him find business clients. Hubbard is accused of using his position as GOP chairman and House speaker to generate $2.3 million in work and investments for his companies. Defense lawyers argue the transactions were legal and involved legitimate work. Business Council of Alabama President Billy Canary, the daughter of former Gov. Bob Riley and others are expected to testify. The trial is expected to last three weeks Republished with permission of The Associated Press
Alabama Speaker Mike Hubbard’s trial to begin Tuesday morning
The speaker of Alabama’s House of Representatives is going to trial on felony charges that could result in his removal from office. A judge told jurors to be in court Tuesday morning to begin the trial of Speaker Mike Hubbard. Hubbard engineered the Republican Party’s takeover of the Alabama Statehouse in 2010. Now he’s charged with 23 felony ethics violations. Conviction on even one would result in his ouster. Prosecutors say Hubbard used both his office and past position as chairman of the Alabama GOP to solicit business for himself and his companies. Hubbard denies doing anything wrong. Hubbard’s trial comes as Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley faces possible impeachment over a sexually charged scandal. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore also is suspended and faces possible removal for allegedly violating judicial ethics. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Mike Hubbard set to go to trial in May
Embattled House Speaker Mike Hubbard had earlier called for his ethics case to be dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct, but Lee County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Walker flatly denied the request Tuesday and told Hubbard to be ready for trial May 9. Hubbard’s case was basing its argument on recent revelations that Matt Hart, a lawyer in the Attorney General’s office, had provided a Hubbard opponent with “confidential grand jury information” in an effort to sully the Speaker’s name. In his decision, Walker concluded that those allegations did not constitute “prosecutorial misconduct.” Further, Walker dismissed arguments that Hart had leaked grand jury information to the media and motions to dismiss based on “vindictive prosecution.” Walker also dismissed motions requesting that Hart testify. Despite the leak allegations not being enough for a dismissal, the judge did say that those allegations could be discussed in the upcoming trial. Hubbard currently faces 23 felony charges of using his office for personal gain. He has been accused of using his position as Speaker of the House, and formerly as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, to solicit jobs and investments in businesses with which he was involved. Further, Hubbard is accused of lobbying members of the executive branch for consulting clients and aiding in the inclusion of General Fund language to benefit a client. Hubbard has maintained his innocence and was reelected despite the felony allegations.
