Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Cullman and Gov. Robert Bentley
MONTGOMERY (WSFA) – A new impeachment resolution will be floated around the Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday, accusing Gov. Robert Bentley of misusing campaign funds and not following state law.
According to Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Cullman, the resolution will be passed around the House Tuesday. If the resolution gains enough signatures, representatives will then vote on whether to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate.
However, it may not be a simple majority that is needed to push this resolution through. Lawmakers may need to suspend the rules of the house in order to send the resolution to the senate, which would take a 4/5ths vote.
The resolution lists two articles for reasons Bentley should be impeached for cause: Willful neglect of duty and corruption in office.
The resolution claims Bentley violated campaign finance law by failing to timely disclose a $50,000 loan he made to his campaign committee. That loan exceeded the two business day reporting requirement by approximately two months.
It is alleged that the Republican Governors Association reimbursed expenses of the Governor during a time period in which it was unlawful to accept contributions.
The resolution then states that on Jan. 3, 2016, Bentley violated campaign finance laws by paying legal fees incurred by a former staff member from excess campaign funds. This misuse of campaign funds centers around legal expenses for Rebekah Mason, a political adviser whom Bentley is accused of having an affair.
According to Sec. of State John Merrill, the Alabama laws surrounding the use of excess campaign funds for someone other than the office holder or candidate are clear and not permissible.
The resolution also alleges Bentley failed to faithfully execute the laws of this state by refusing to call a special election required by law to fill the vacancy left by United States Sen. Jeff Sessions.
On Friday, some lawmakers called for the impeachment investigations of Bentley to be renewed. These followed Bentley's appointment of Luther Strange to the vacated Senate seat previously held by U.S. Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions.
Some lawmakers believed Strange's Senate appointment would put the impeachment process of the governor into question.
Bentley also appointed former Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall as the new attorney general late Friday afternoon.
Articles of Impeachment by cullmansense on Scribd
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