Showing posts with label prosecutions for corruption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prosecutions for corruption. Show all posts

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Michael Hubbard, Alabama House Speaker, Is Convicted on 12 Felony Ethics Charges; New York Times, 6/10/16

Alan Blinder, New York Times; Michael Hubbard, Alabama House Speaker, Is Convicted on 12 Felony Ethics Charges:
"His conviction and automatic ouster immediately increased the political turmoil that had shadowed Alabama for months, and made it something of a punch line. The chief justice of the State Supreme Court, Roy S. Moore, could be removed from office this year because of his efforts to resist same-sex marriage, and Mr. Bentley is a subject of impeachment proceedings over an improper relationship with an aide, as well as federal and state inquiries.
“It’s a sad day in the state because people have a distrust in government when you look around all three branches,” State Senator Cam Ward, a Republican, said in an interview after the verdict was announced. “This kind of affirms what people have been thinking.”
Mr. Bentley declined to comment through a spokeswoman, but the state’s attorney general, Luther Strange, also a Republican, welcomed the verdict.
“This is a good day for the rule of law in our state,” said Mr. Strange, who added that the decision “should send a clear message that in Alabama, we hold public officials accountable for their actions.”"