Senior Advisor at Center of Bentley Affair Scandal Resigns

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2016/03/mason-bentley.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:800;s:6:"height";i:450;s:4:"file";s:25:"2016/03/mason-bentley.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-336x189.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:189;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-771x434.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:434;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-768x432.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:432;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"mason-bentley-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-600x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-553x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:553;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-470x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-600x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"mason-bentley-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => file photo
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => Montgomery Advertiser
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => already_optimized
        )

)
1647488445 
1459353646

Governor Bentley’s Senior Political Advisor Rebekah Caldwell Mason has resigned. Mason has been in the spotlight since last week, when former ALEA head Spencer Collier publicly described her alleged affair with the governor. Collier called Mason “the de facto governor,” referencing the extreme power he says she had over the governor’s decisions.  

Tapes of the governor and Mason having a sexually explicit conversation also surfaced last week. 

In a statement distributed by Governor Bentley’s office, Mason writes “I have resigned as Senior Political Advisor to Governor Bentley and will no longer be paid from his campaign fund. I have also ended my work with the Alabama Council For Excellent Government.”

“My only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly,” continues Mason’s statement. “They are the most important people in my life. Thank you for your prayers for our family.”

Mason’s resignation comes just hours after Governor Robert Bentley told the media he had no intentions of resigning. Bentley made the comments today during a visit meant to highlight broadband issues and rural health in Russellville, his second public appearance since the scandal broke. Bentley seemed to be looking to the future.

“My intentions are to make this state better,” said Bentley. “My intentions are to work through all the problems that we’re going through.”

At the time, Bentley added that “there may be some organizational changes” in the governors office.

Calls for Bentley’s resignation continue to grow among Alabama Republicans and Democrats alike. Al.com reports a special agent with the Alabama Ethics Commission will launch an investigation into possible violations by Bentley and Mason.

Esther Ciammachilli contributed to this report. 

 

The March Madness men’s bracket is out, and the SEC dominates with a record 14 teams

In an all-time record, 14 of the tournament's 68 teams all come from one conference — the SEC. The women's bracket will be unveiled at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Games tip off this coming week.

Pope Francis seen praying in first photo since his hospitalization a month ago

In the image published online by the Holy See Press Office, the pontiff was seated in a wheelchair and praying in the private chapel of Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

3 dead in Alabama after tornadoes pummel the South

The deaths came in Dallas and Talladega counties.

Hundreds of alleged gang members deported from U.S. despite court order

It was not immediately clear if the deportations happened before or after a federal judge in D.C. on Saturday issued an emergency order that told the administration to stop using wartime powers to deport anyone, and turn around any planes already in the air.

The missing children of Syria: Hidden in orphanages under Assad, where are they now?

Assad's forces detained mothers and children and sent many of the youth to orphanages. Syrians whose children vanished during the war are now seeking information on their fate. NPR investigates.

51 dead and more than 100 injured in nightclub fire in North Macedonia

A massive nightclub fire killed 51 people early Sunday in North Macedonia 's eastern town of Kocani, and injured more than 100. The blaze broke out during a concert by a local pop group.

More Front Page Coverage