Former governor Robert Bentley’s website and social media activities pose curious questions
Former governor Robert Bentley, or someone acting on his behalf, has been active online in recent days prompting questions from politicos, the general public and even his own former staff members. Among the recent changes are a name change for his official facebook group and several new posts. His page formally, “Bentley for Governor” was changed to “Bentley for Alabama” on May 28th. Since it has seen a handful of posts including one earlier today. May 26, 2018 two days before the groups name change someone posted on the page a message signed with the Governor’s name. It was the first post since October 2014, and read: “ABOUT THIS PAGE: Bentley for Alabama, and our partner website www.bentleyforalabama.org, examines the specific time during which Governor Robert Bentley served the people of the state as Alabama’s 53rd Governor and provides recent updates on the former Governor in post-public life, his charitable work and his continued enthusiasm for the causes he championed during his two terms in Office. This Facebook Page provides new updates, and past posts in their original form from the time Governor Bentley served in public office. Posts are time stamped, and some links may no longer be active. Governor Bentley has generously made available free and easy access to digital resources of the Bentley Administration as well as two Bentley for Governor Campaigns. Please visit BentleyforAlabama.org for more details.” This recent activity comes among public scrutiny for statements made during depositions taken in June that revealed Rebekah Caldwell Mason, the woman he was accused of having an affair with is now working for him as an office manager at his dermotology practice, Dermatology Care of Alabama in Tucaloosa. AL.com reported, “Under questioning from attorneys, Bentley confirmed Mason works as the office manager for his Tuscaloosa-based medical practice, Dermatology Care of Alabama. Bentley said Mason works 9 a.m.-5 p.m. four days a week and 9 a.m.-noon on Friday, when the practice closes early. She is paid $5,000 a month, or $60,000 a year, he told attorneys.” Bentley’s updated facebook page and this new information has some wondering if Mason is the one updating the page. “He would not have been able to nor did he have any interest in learning to post to social media. Furthermore, if you look at the content, it’s not written using phrasing natural to Bentley but is familiar to those who recognize the writings of Rebekah Mason,” said a former Bentley staffer familiar with Bentley’s social media history told Alabama Today. We attempted to contact Mason and/or Bentley at his medical office to ask about the sudden activity but no one answered the phone. While the Facebook and website updates are mundane in content, the most recent about Bentley’s efforts to bring jobs to the Yellowhammer State, and the process of his elections, some commenters on the page seem puzzled by the recent activity: “It is bizarre and if it wasn’t so sad it would be funny,” the same former Bentley staffer continued. “It’s unfortunate for the state of Alabama that Rebekah Caldwell Mason won’t let the Governor end out his service to Alabama with respect and dignity. She continually makes him a laughing stock with stunts like this.” Speaking to the way Mason has manipulated the Governor, the allegations of how she used her office for her own gain and all of the ways in which she continues to profit off of him the staffer noted she is of the opinion that, “This borders on elder abuse. She’s taking advantage of an elderly man.”
Five things you need to know about Jim Zeigler
Incumbent State Auditor Jim Zeigler ran circles around his opponents in the June primary, taking home 55 percent of the vote. But now that the primaries are over, the real battle has begun. Zeigler one again faces Democratic nominee Miranda Joseph in the November 6 general election, creating a bit of a déjà vu for voters as the two ran against one another in 2014. With that in mind, here are the five things you need to know about Jim Zeigler: 1. He’s been Alabama’s state auditor since 2014, and has served in one other state office. Zeigler served on the Alabama Public Service commission in the 1970’s, and after running several unsuccessful campaigns for statewide offices in the early 2000’s, he was elected State Auditor in 2014. Since then he has been working hard: announcing a budget plan to save the state’s park system in 2015 and launching a volunteer-based program within his office to investigate claims of waste, fraud and abuse within Alabama state government, to his most recent quest to solve Alabama’s infrastructure problems; he’s become a public fixture nobody expected. 2. His background is in law and he practiced law for over 20 years. Originally from Sylacauga, Ala., Zeigler earned his JD from the Jones Law Institute at Faulkner University in Montgomery; obtaining his license in 1978. In 1993, he opened his own private practice, practicing as a mediator, arbitrator, and attorney until 2015, when he was elected State Auditor. Zeigler recently voluntarily relinquished his law license, after deciding not to run for Alabama Attorney General. 3. He’s fought hard against government waste while in office and continually seeks to keep Alabama lawmakers in check. The Alabama Department of Transportation’s (ALDOT) long contested “bridge to nowhere,” was a battle against wasteful spending Zeigler was willing to fight. Calling on ALDOT’s transportation director John Cooper to answer his questions about the need for an $87 million state-funded bridge project in Baldwin County — which would be a second bridge to Orange Beach, later saying the department needed to redirect funds from the bridge to the Mobile River Bridge and the I-10 Bayway Project. Zeigler has continued to “stir the pot” during his time in office, and seeks to continue what he sees as his job; keeping Alabama legislative officials in check. “I have a plan to turn the State Auditor’s office into a watchman against government mismanagement and waste,” Zeigler told Alabama Today. “It is starting to work.” 4. He was Student Government Association President at the University of Alabama. While in college, Zeigler served as President of the university’s Student Government Association (SGA) from 1970 to 1971. While there, he also served on the Athletic Committee with Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Note: Several members of the Alabama legislature have begun their political careers in universities student government associations. Governor Kay Ivey was a member of the SGA at Auburn University and Secretary of State John Merrill served as President of the University of Alabama’s SGA from 1986 to 1987. 5. He was one of the first legislative officials to file a complaint with the Alabama Ethics Commission regarding former governor Robert Bentley In March of 2016, before former governor Robert Bentley‘s impeachment process began, Zeigler filed a report with the Alabama Ethics Commission requesting they investigate Bentley’s affair with senior advisor Rebekah Caldwell Mason. A frequent critic of Bentley’s Zeigler released a statement saying; “the governor continues to disgrace the state of Alabama, and in my official capacity as state auditor, I am required to report these suspected violations.” Bentley was later impeached for his inappropriate affair with Mason, resigning from office in April of 2017.
Robert Bentley says he chose to walk away from office, still sees Rebekah Mason ‘occasionally’
Former Gov. Robert Bentley emerged from the shadows this week, telling the Decatur Daily he decided to leave office rather than risk facing felony charges and losing his medical license. “I was told that I was going to be charged, even though the grand jury had not met, that I was going to be charged with a felony for (two ethics violations related to his campaign finance account). If you have a felony, you lose your medical license, and I was not going to lose my medical license,” Bentley, who now owns a dermatology clinic in Tuscaloosa, told the Decatur Daily. “So, I agreed to (two misdemeanors) and walked away.” In April, Bentley was booked on two misdemeanor charges — one for failing to file a major contribution report and another for knowingly using campaign contributions for personal use — in the midst of a corruption and willful neglect of duty investigation against him, a month after he acknowledged making inappropriate remarks to a female political adviser, Rebekah Caldwell Mason. Upon pleading guilty, he resigned from the Governor’s office. When asked about Mason, Bentley said told the Decatur Daily, “I still see her occasionally.” Read Bentley’s full interview here.
Robert Bentley resigns after plea deal
The Latest on impeachment hearings for Gov. Robert Bentley (all times local): 5:15 p.m. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has resigned after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor charges of violating state campaign finance law. The attorney general’s office announced the resignation Monday with a plea deal. Bentley was addressing the media Monday afternoon at the Alabama Capitol. Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey’s announced that she will be sworn-in this evening as Alabama’s governor at 6 p.m. Bentley’s voice began choking with emotion as he addressed reporters at the Alabama Capitol. He said he always tried to live up to the high expectations placed on the person who holds the esteemed office. He apologized for mistakes. Alabama’s Ethics Commission last week found probable cause that Bentley violated state ethics laws with his handling of an alleged affair and referred the case to prosecutors. ___ 5 p.m. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has pleaded guilty after being booked on two campaign and ethics charges in Montgomery. Bentley appeared sullen and looked down at the floor during the Monday afternoon session. Attorneys went over the charges as a plea agreement was signed. Bentley told a judge he understood the charges. The agreement specifies that Bentley must surrender campaign funds totaling $36,912 within a week and perform 100 hours of community service as a physician. He also cannot seek public office again. Jail records show Bentley was booked on two misdemeanor charges that arose from the investigation of an alleged affair with a top aide. His office has scheduled a late afternoon appearance by Bentley at the Capitol. A person who has spoken to Bentley tells The Associated Press says he plans to resign. ___ 4:30 p.m. Jail records show Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has been booked on two misdemeanor charges that arose from the investigation of an alleged affair with a top aide. A booking log at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office website shows Bentley was processed on two campaign and ethics charges Monday afternoon. A mugshot released by the jail shows Bentley smiling slightly, his head cocked slightly to the right. He’s wearing a coat and tie. Bentley is expected to resign Monday. Alabama’s Ethics Commission last week found probable cause that Bentley violated state ethics laws with his handling of an alleged affair and referred the case to prosecutors. ___ 2:55 p.m. A person who has spoken to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says he plans to resign over allegations he covered up an affair with an aide. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. Bentley is preparing to announce his resignation Monday during a Cabinet meeting. The person says Bentley is in good spirits over the decision to step down. Word of Bentley’s decision comes on the first day of impeachment hearings. He is accused of abusing his state powers to try to hide his romance. The Republican governor has acknowledged making personal mistakes but has denied doing anything illegal or anything that would merit removal from office. ___ 11:25 a.m. The top lawyer in an impeachment investigation says Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley did not cooperate with the probe. Special counsel Jack Sharman said Monday there was a question of the governor’s “candor.” Bentley is accused of misusing state resources to keep an alleged affair with a staffer from being exposed. Sharman says the governor’s office turned over only innocuous text messages between him and former political adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason. Sharman says the governor’s former wife turned over others. In those texts, Bentley repeatedly told Mason how much me loved and wanted her. The governor’s then-wife, Dianne Bentley, was able to read the text messages because they also showed up on his state-issued iPad, which he had given the first lady. Dianne Bentley provided the messages to the committee. It is not known if the messages were deleted from the governor’s state phone when the committee requested them. ___ 10:30 a.m. Impeachment hearings have begun for Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, who is accused of misusing state resources to keep an alleged affair with a staffer from being exposed. House Judiciary Chairman Mike Jones opened the hearings Monday by saying no task was more serious than the possible removal of an elected governor. Jones said it was time to hear evidence collected by the committee’s special counsel. The governor’s lawyers will respond to those accusations later in the week. Special Counsel Jack Sharman opened by saying that impeachment is the “people’s check” on political excess. The hearings are the start of a lengthy process that could end with Bentley being removed from office. The Republican governor has acknowledged making personal mistakes but has denied doing anything illegal or anything that would merit removal from office ___ 8:15 a.m. A spokeswoman says scandal-plagued Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is not personally involved in any negotiations to resign. Yasamie August made the statement Monday morning as the House Judiciary Committee was set to begin impeachment hearings. Asked if there were any discussions about resignation, August said the response was the same that the governor was not personally involved in any negotiations. Bentley has struggled to shake off a scandal after recordings surfaced last year of him making romantic and sexually charged comments in 2014 to a top female aide before his divorce. The Republican governor has acknowledged making personal mistakes but has denied doing anything illegal or anything that would merit removal from office. The hearings are the start of a lengthy process that could end with Bentley being removed from office. The committee will decide whether to recommend impeachment. If the House votes to impeach Bentley, he will automatically be removed from his duties and can only be returned to office if acquitted in a trial-like proceeding before the Alabama Senate. ___ 2:05 a.m. Alabama lawmakers are set to begin impeachment hearings for Gov. Robert Bentley as they consider whether to try ousting the governor over accusations he used state resources
Robert Bentley confirms Rebekah Mason not returning to his administration
The Robert Bentley administration has “no plans” to re-hire former top aide Rebekah Caldwell Mason. Bentley spokeswoman Yasamie August made the clarification Thursday following a question from a reporter as to whether or not Mason was returning to the Bentley administration. “She [Mason] has not been rehired by the Bentley Administration since her resignation, and there are no plans to hire her,” August told AL.com via email. Mason resigned following a scandal that stemmed from a recording of sexually charged conversations between Bentley and Mason going public earlier this year.
Robert Bentley turns over ALEA report criticizing Spencer Collier for absenteeism, spending
Gov. Robert Bentley turned over a 1,600-page filing with a committee looking into his impeachment last week, which included a 63-page report criticizing former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) director Spencer Collier‘s job performance, offering new insights into his March 2016 firing. The report was the product of a months-long investigation by April Bickhaus, a special agent with ALEA’s Integrity Unit, which she began in February 2015. It includes quotes from ALEA employees and paints a picture of habitual absenteeism, a misuse of state funds and mismanagement in the office, and poor hiring decisions. It also included allegations of sexual harassment, prescription drug abuse, and falsifying time sheets. Among its findings, the report claims upon review of entry records, Collier’s key card was used to access the ALEA’s Montgomery headquarters only 20 days in the six-month period before his termination. It also indicated a problem with the amount of weapons Collier purchased, and the process in which he did so. “Weapons stand out to us because this particular individual bought a lot of weapons, more than the average employee,” the report quotes ALEA Accounting Director Jennifer Frost having said. “For him to just go to Gulf States (Distributors) and buy weapons and accessories without a (purchase order), and purchase these items through the ALEA account held at Gulf States is clearly wrong.” Collier, who said allegations Bentley used state funds to pursue an affair with former senior aide Rebekah Caldwell Mason led to his investigation, denies the charges made against him in the report. “This is probably the sleaziest politics that I have ever seen,” Collier said in a statement. “One witness in this report has recanted and others will. Stan Stabler and Michael Robinson threatened employees, lied to them and intimidated them to say whatever was needed to fit the narrative.” Read the entire ALEA report below:
Comprehensive list of who has asked Robert Bentley to step down
Calls for Alabama Governor Robert Bentley to resign have grown during the past week, as more recordings allegedly between the governor and his former senior adviser Rebekah Caldwell Mason were released. Here is a comprehensive list of the elected officials, state leaders, and groups who have called for the governor’s resignation. Elected officials Rep. Ed Henry, Republican of Hartselle* Rep. Will Ainsworth, Republican of Guntersville** Minority Leader Craig Ford, Democrat of Gadsden Rep. David Standridge, Republican of Hayden Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, Democrat of Red Bay Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, Republican of Madison Sen. Shay Shelnut, Republican of Trussville Rep. Danny Garrett, Republican of Trussville Groups College Republican Federation of Alabama Montgomery County Republican Party Alabama Republican Assembly Other Prominent Individuals Terry Dunn, former Public Service Commissioner and member of ALGOP Executive Committee Who Has Stayed Silent Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange‘s office released a statement saying they would investigate any wrongdoing, but cited a “longstanding policy regarding pending criminal investigations,” announcing no further information or comment would be released. Republican legislative leadership, including House Speaker Mike Hubbard and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh have each been silent on their thoughts about the matter. Likewise, members of the federal delegation have chosen to stay above the fray. Bentley, himself, says he’ll stay in office, calling the scandal “old issues.” “Obviously, there are concerns across the state,” said Bentley. “I’ve got to give the explanation I can give and let them know what we’re going to do and basically tell them how sorry I am. Have I made mistakes? Yes, I have. And I admit those. We’ve addressed those and we properly addressed those several months ago. “These are old issues. It’s just now that people have heard about them. But we’re going to address those and we’re going to move on.” Other Perspectives While reactions to the allegations themselves have been growing, statements made in the aftermath have added another level of commentary to the discussion. Alabama Policy Institute Vice President Katherine Robertson took issue with Mason’s characterization of heightened scrutiny of her relationship with the governor as “gender bias.” “Is there gender bias in Montgomery?” Robertson wrote. “In some cases, but Mrs. Mason cannot claim it. Where true bias exists, people are treated in a certain way (usually negative) due to some preconceived notion about them, whether based on their age, appearance, or ethnicity – not based in reason. “Knowing the evidence that was now available to the public, Mrs. Mason did not deny anything, but in a desperate diversion, tried to claim that her gender was to blame for her present predicament.” Minority Leader Craig Ford added another perspective to the mix in an op-ed for Alabama Political Reporter Thursday, saying the scandal may impact the state’s ability to recruit companies. “His actions are costing Alabama jobs,” Ford said. “There are business owners and leaders of industry who don’t want to sit down with this governor because of the image of corruption that has engulfed the state. We have lost so much opportunity because of this mess. How in the world can we bring anyone else in? What CEO or other corporate group would want to come down here right now? “We are competing against Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and other states that are going to use all of this against us. The governor has provided our competitors with an unfair advantage, and it is absolutely costing us economically.” The timing of the allegations have added another twist to any forced resignation or impeachment attempts. With the legislature on spring break until Tuesday, April 5th, lawmakers have had ample time to whip potential votes on each side of a potential impeachment. Likewise, Speaker Hubbard’s impending trial could throw a wrench into attempts to remove the governor. AL.com writer Kyle Whitmire speculated the Speaker’s legal troubles and the governor’s relationship with Mason are more closely intertwined than it appears on the surface. “The governor, with Mason whispering in his ear and a lawyer with assorted loyalties at his side, took an active and disruptive role in a criminal prosecution of Mike Hubbard,” wrote Whitmire. “That’s the story, not the sex. And no matter the myriad open questions that might take months or years to answer, if ever, one question has a clear answer. Cui bono? Who benefits. Bentley might have blown himself up trying to throw a bomb under Matt Hart‘s chair, but either way, it works for Mike Hubbard.” *Rep. Henry announced Wednesday he will bring forth articles of impeachment when the state legislature returns from spring break. ** Rep. Ainsworth has said he is researching, and will introduce, recall legislation, giving the people of Alabama recourse against elected officials during their terms. ALToday will update the list as more information becomes available.
