Gov. Robert Bentley, R-Ala., resigned Monday following a House Judiciary Committee impeachment hearing on allegations that he committed felony-level crimes while covering up an extramarital affair with a female aide, according to multiple local news reports.
Bentley agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges.
Last week, the Alabama Ethics Commission’s “found probable cause to believe” Bentley violated campaign finance and ethics laws while trying to cover up the affair with the aide in 2014.
BREAKING: Gov. Robert Bentley has been booked into the Montgomery County Jail. pic.twitter.com/QbScoZ1z7v
— AL.com (@aldotcom) April 10, 2017
Bentley’s lawyers represented him during impeachment hearings with the House Judiciary Committee on Monday. Yasamie August, the governor’s spokeswoman, said Bentley was “not personally involved in any negotiations.”
Last year, recordings surfaced of Bentley making sexual comments to an aide while still married. Bentley has apologized for the comments but has insisted he wouldn’t resign.
Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey was sworn in as governor Monday night. She is the second female governor of Alabama.
