House Judiciary Committee Releases Bentley Impeachment Report
Update — April 8, 2017:
The Alabama Supreme Court Saturday dealt a blow to Gov. Robert Bentley in allowing impeachment proceedings to go on as planned. Bentley’s attorneys had sought to halt impeachment proceedings set to begin Monday. A Montgomery County Circuit Judge had ruled in Bentley’s favor, delaying impeachment proceedings. But it appears the impeachment process for Gov. Robert Bentley will begin this week. The Alabama Supreme Court stayed the injunction issued by Montgomery County Circuit Judge Greg Griffin against the start of impeachment proceedings, allowing them to go on. Both sides must file briefs on Monday.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Jones issued a triumphant statement Saturday. “This is a great day for the Constitution of Alabama,” he said. “I want to thank the members of the Alabama Supreme Court for quickly acting on our appeal and recognizing, what a circuit court judge didn’t understand, that there are three branches of government and the Alabama Legislature is free to conduct its business as prescribed in the state constitution.”
Late Friday, the House Judiciary Committee filed a notice of appeal seeking expedited action from the Alabama Supreme Court to overturn the order halting the impeachment process.
The House Judiciary Committee released a report Friday that says Gov. Robert Bentley “directed law enforcement to advance his personal interests” and became increasingly paranoid as he worked to hide a relationship with a former political aide.
The 131-page report came three days before the committee was set to begin impeachment hearings against the governor. Bentley’s attorneys earlier Friday filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to try to halt the release of the report. Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Greg Griffin allowed the report to be released, but an hour later, stopped the hearings. See update.
Bentley argued that the report contained embarrassing details. Bentley developed a relationship with his former political advisor Rebekah Mason. After Bentley’s former wife secretly recorded him making sexually-charged comments to Mason, Bentley directed law enforcement to conduct tasks that were outside the scope of their regular duties to prevent the recordings from becoming public, according to the report. The report also says while Bentley did not hide the relationship with Mason from his inner circle, he used intimidation to attempt to keep his staff silent.
Earlier this week the Alabama Ethics Commission found probable cause that Bentley violated state ethics and campaign finance laws.
House Judiciary Committee Special Counsel Jack Sharman released impeachment documents online Friday.
Breaking down Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
It’s been a year since Alabama legislators passed the CHOOSE Act allowing families to apply for state funds to use towards homeschool expenses and tuition for participating private schools. The Alabama Daily News’ education reporter Trisha Powell Crain has been diving into how the funds are being used. WBHM’s Andrew Gelderman sat down with her to talk about what we’re seeing so far.
Huntsville is growing fast. Here’s how it’s stayed affordable
Home prices are rising in Huntsville, but so far, the city’s avoided the skyrocketing costs in other boom towns.
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
