Effort begins to impeach governor

Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley was hit Tuesday with a long-shot 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. Bentley has denied both accusations.

The troubled governor lashed out at the effort, saying he would vigorously defend himself.