Alabama governor can’t halt release of disparaging report

MONTGOMERY, ALA. — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley won a court fight Friday to halt his looming impeachment hearings, but couldn’t prevent the release of an investigative report that describes his paranoia and obsession over trying to keep his romance with a staffer from becoming public.

The stunning events capped a wild week in Alabama politics. Lawyers for the governor rushed to court and appeared before two judges to stop the impeachment proceedings, which were set to begin Monday. Shortly before the lawyers argued, Bentley defiantly stood on the steps of the state capitol and refused growing calls from fellow Republicans that he step down. Earlier this week, Bentley learned he could face criminal prosecution when the Alabama Ethics Commission found probable cause that he broke ethics and campaign law.

Bentley, 74, has been engulfed in scandal since recordings surfaced in 2016 of him making suggestive remarks to a female aide before he and his wife of 50 years got divorced. The mild-mannered dermatologist and former Baptist deacon has acknowledged making personal mistakes but maintained he did nothing illegal or to merit his removal from office.

The legislative impeachment report suggested otherwise, saying he “encouraged an atmosphere of intimidation” to keep his romantic relationship secret.

“Gov. Bentley directed law enforcement to advance his personal interests and, in a process characterized by increasing obsession and paranoia, subjected career law enforcement officers to tasks intended to protect his reputation,” the report said.

House Judiciary Committee special counsel Jack Sharman wrote that Bentley’s relationship with Rebekah Caldwell Mason was well-known within his inner circle. Bentley’s loyalties shifted from the state to himself as he tried to keep the relationship quiet, Sharman wrote.

Bentley obstructed the legislative investigation by refusing to co-operate and redacting text messages and other material requested by the committee, the report said. Bentley also directed law enforcement staffers to try to uncover who had recorded conversations of him and Mason, Sharman wrote.

After the judge temporarily halted the impeachment proceedings, Sharman said he would appeal.

Bentley said he has been humiliated and apologized for his mistakes. But, he said, he has done nothing illegal.

“If the people want to know if I misused state resources, the answer is simply no. I have not,” Bentley said in a statement on marble steps of the Capitol. He did not take questions.

Bentley tried to block the report’s release, but it was posted online Friday afternoon.

The controversy erupted last year when the former head of state law enforcement, Spencer Collier, a day after being fired by Bentley, publicly accused Bentley of having an affair with his longtime political adviser, Mason. Collier said Mason wielded so much power that she was considered the “de facto governor.”

Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh and House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, leaders in the Republican-controlled legislature, have both called on the governor to step aside.