Albert Cesare/AP
Alabama lawmakers have filed impeachment proceedings against Gov.
Alabama lawmakers have filed impeachment proceedings against Gov. Robert Bentley. Above, Rep. Ed Henry announces the filing.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley was hit Tuesday with a longshot impeachment effort in the wake of a scandal involving a former top aide, the latest sign of his growing political troubles.
Republican Rep. Ed Henry introduced the articles of impeachment, saying lawmakers and voters have lost confidence in the two-term GOP governor.
He accused the governor of moral turpitude, willful neglect of duty, corruption and incompetence.
“We are looking at this governor who has essentially betrayed the trust of the people of Alabama through actions and lies that have caused us to have some doubt about his leadership,” Henry said during a press conference at the Alabama Statehouse.
Bentley last month admitted making inappropriate remarks to his senior political adviser, Rebekah Caldwell Mason, who has since resigned.
The admission came after Bentley’s recently fired law enforcement secretary accused the governor of having an affair with Mason and of interfering with law enforcement investigations.
Albert Cesare/AP
The governor admitted to making sexual comments to an advisor, but denied having a physical affair.
Bentley has denied both accusations. The troubled governor lashed out at the effort, saying he would vigorously defend himself.
“Today’s press conference is nothing more than political grandstanding intended to grab headlines and take the focus away from the important issues the Legislature still has to address before the end of the session,” Bentley said in a statement. Henry and
Bentley have clashed on past issues, including the governor’s 2015 push to raise taxes that some Republicans saw as a betrayal.
The state Constitution spells out a vague but seldom-used procedure for impeachment. Alabama lawmakers have never previously tried to impeach a sitting governor.
The impeachment resolution, which has support from some Democrats including House Minority Leader Craig Ford, was sent to the House Rules Committee for consideration but faces stark odds of being voted on by the full chamber.
At least one legislative leader said that would not happen in the 11 meeting days remaining in the current session.