Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Bentley's refusal to resign might greatly enhance the chances that he will wind up in prison from fallout of the "Luv Guv and Home Wrecky Becky" Scandal


Rebekah Mason and husband, Jon Mason
(From facebook.com)
Gov. Robert Bentley almost is certain to face criminal charges from ongoing grand-jury proceedings in Montgomery, according to an Alabama political newspaper. That reality means Bentley probably would be wise to resign and use his resources to fight in criminal court, rather than hang on and wait for possible impeachment.

Recent statements from the governor indicate he is determined to stay in office. That might greatly enhance his chances of winding up in prison.

Bentley increasingly finds himself backed into a corner, according to a report earlier this month at Inside Alabama Politics (IAP), a highly regarded subscription newsletter. From IAP:

The cards are stacking up against embattled Governor Robert Bentley, who is finding he has fewer chips to use with each round of play.

. . .  according to multiple sources IAP spoke with, the question to be considered is: If Bentley is impeached, does it put him in double jeopardy against any criminal charges he may face subsequently? The U.S. Constitution protects Bentley from twice facing legal jeopardy for the same offense. However the most extreme punishment Bentley can face with impeachment is removal from office, whereas if he is convicted in court of a felony he could also face jail time.

Other sources in close proximity to this fiasco have told IAP that it is practically a given Bentley will face indictment of criminal charges as a result of grand jury proceedings. If that is true, Bentley may find it a more judicious use of money to pay for legal defense from criminal charges and resign from office before he is impeached. But will he?

Bentley recently responded to rumors that he is about to resign with one of the most inane statements in the history of politics. From al.com:

Speaking to reporters in Birmingham, Bentley said he had "no intention" leaving before the end of his second term.

"I have no intention of not doing what God has called me to do and that is serve the people of this state," Bentley said in remarks reported by WBRC.

"I have done absolutely nothing," he continued. "All I have done is serve the people of the state of Alabama. I can assure the people of Alabama I have never done anything illegal. I have never done anything unethical. My story has not been told."

Where to begin with this hokum? In terms of governance, "I have done absolutely nothing," might be the most truthful statement Bentley's ever made. Let's recall this is the same right-wing "man of God" who was caught on audio recordings talking about caressing Rebekah Mason's boobs and exploring her nether regions -- while both were married. That's not unethical? That, somehow, is serving the people of Alabama?

Robert Bentley
Activities in the next week or so might help bring some clarity to Bentley's jumbled thinking. From IAP:

On April 5, the Alabama Ethics Commission will hold a meeting to discuss the direction of the investigation of Gov. Robert Bentley. What is also expected is secret grand jury type testimony from witnesses as to the allegations of impropriety by Bentley.

Sources tell IAP that several witnesses may be called to testify about what they know concerning Bentley’s misuse of state resources in his alleged affair with advisor Rebekah Mason and whether he broke campaign finance laws.

The Alabama House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted in early March to continue the investigation of impeachment articles against Bentley. The Judiciary Committee voted to direct special counsel Jack Sharman to resume the investigation after it was sidetracked by then Attorney General Luther Strange. . . .

What is also being overlooked is that the state is picking up the tab for legal work on both sides of the probe. Special Counsel Jack Sharman, according to some reports, will take in nearly $350,000 for his work and Gov. Bentley’s attorney Ross Garber could make around $100,000…all taxpayer funded.

Should the Ethics Commission vote to bring charges it will likely start the process of removing Bentley from office.

So, lawyers get rich, and Alabama taxpayers get screwed -- all because of "Luv Guv" Bentley. And a state with enormous untapped potential continues to tread water -- or slowly sink, depending on how you look at it.

Thankfully, the "Luv Guv's" days might be numbered.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Governor Bentley is apparently more rotten fruit of the Aladamnbamma Peckerwood Tree.

Anonymous said...

"...All I have done is serve the people of the state of Alabama..." - oh yes he did serve us with some salacious phone recordings! By the way. is GOV apossible acronym for Good Old Viagra??

DM
Phenix City

Anonymous said...

The folks at IAP have it right, I'd say. Seems wise to put a higher priority on staying out of prison over staying in office.

Anonymous said...

I don't know why Bentley would worry about staying in office. He hasn't done anything in office anyway.

Chuckles said...

Most truthful statement ever by a politician:


"I've done absolutely nothing"


Robert "Luv Guv" Bentley

Anonymous said...

I'm hearing Bentley's claiming it wasn't a physical affair because they didn't have intercourse. Is the old goat actually trying to sell that BS.

legalschnauzer said...

Yes, he's apparently trying to sell that. I doubt the public is buying. It was from an AP story earlier this week:


http://staging.hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ALABAMA_GOVERNOR?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-03-27-12-14-00

Here is key part:

"I made a mistake," Bentley said in a public apology to his family and state. He's denied breaking any laws and told The Associated Press it wasn't a physical affair, because they didn't have intercourse.

Flicker said...

If they weren't having intercourse, why did "Luv Guv" order Viagra?

legalschnauzer said...

Flicker:

Great point. This is from al.com story on 11/23/16 (http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/11/gov_bentleys_former_security_c.html)


Bentley, a doctor, wrote prescriptions for Mason, and Lewis saw text messages related to them. Bentley also ordered generic Viagra in his wife's name and had it shipped to the governor's mansion.

Anonymous said...

Ordering Viagra (in your wife's name) to use with your mistress has to be one of the lowest things I've ever heard of.

Anonymous said...

This is the guy who wants to be my "brother," so it will help me find Jesus? If it takes that to find Jesus, I think I'll do without.

Anonymous said...

Jeepers, Home Wrecky Becky has lost a ton of weight. She's not the curvy, sexy "thang" she used to be.

Anonymous said...

Just a couple of thoughts : I've never seen this photograph of Rebekah and John. Makes me think of the old saying, "you can't judge a book by its cover" Appears that the stress of this whole thing may be getting to her with the loss of weight ( that one of your commentors mentioned ) Her mouth now reminds me of a mule "grinning" for fodder. Hopefully, for Bobby's sake, the weight loss has not made her rack disappear. No change in John, just a grinning cuckold, that will soon be looking for a job.

legalschnauzer said...

I think it's a fairly recent photo. It's from her Facebook page. Pretty radical change. Doesn't look like same person to me.

Slick Willy said...

Now, I have to go back to work on my State of the Union speech. And I worked on it until pretty late last night. But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never. These allegations are false. And I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

She's always been overly teethy with a big nose, so I don't think it is stress causing her to look as ugly as she really is. But, the woman isn't young. Compared to Bentley, yes, but she's older than she claims and she's pushing the age where it is very hard to keep ones looks up. Also, she's probably trying hard to keep Bentley from turning his eye towards other available women.

Anonymous said...

Just a thought. Nothing more trashy than a worn out whore dog. Rebekah is fast reaching that point in life. Bobby aint gonna worry about it, viagra don't work forever. He got his goodie months ago.