ALABAMA HO-- -- USE SPEAKER MIKE HUBBARD FOUND GUILTY OF 12 ETHICS CHARGES
By Joseph M. Morgan
UPDATED JUNE 11, 2016, 6:49 A.M. MONTGOMERY, Ala.—After less than seven hours of deliberation a Lee County jury convicted Alabama Rep. Mike Hubbard in his felony ethics case, automatically removing him from the Alabama House of Representatives and his coveted position as Speaker of the House, leaving a power vacuum in the Alabama Legislature, GOP politics and state politics as a whole that has not existed in more than half a century.
Hubbard, 54, was convicted on 12 of 23 charges related to using his public position for personal gain.The jury deliberated for seven hours on various charges to decide if Hubbard used his office for personal gain.
The prosecution alleged Hubbard used the position and influence of his office to make millions. The 12 charges of which Speaker Hubbard were convicted include:
• Voting on legislation with a conflict of interest that would benefit American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc., a consulting client.
• Receiving money from a principal, American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc., through a consulting contract.
• Receiving money from a principal, Edgenuity, through a consulting contract.
• Using office for personal gain through a consulting contract with Capitol Cups, a business owned by Robert Abrams.
• Lobbying the state Department of Commerce for consulting client Robert Abrams.
• Lobbying the governor’s office for consulting client Robert Abrams.
• Using state personnel to benefit consulting client Robert Abrams.
• Soliciting and receiving money from a principal, former Business Council of Alabama Chairman Will Brooke, a $150,000 investment in Craftmaster Printers.
• Soliciting and receiving money from a principal, James Holbrook/Sterne Agee, a $150,000 investment in Craftmaster Printers.
• Soliciting and receiving money from a principal, Great Southern Wood President Jimmy Rane, a $150,000 investment in Craftmaster Printers.
• Soliciting and receiving money from a principal, Great Southern Wood President Jimmy Rane, a $150,000 investment in Craftmaster Printers.
• Soliciting and receiving a thing of value from a principal, former BCA Chairman Will Brooke, help obtaining clients for Auburn Network and financial advice for Craftmaster Printers.
“This is a good day for the rule of law in our state,” said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. “This kind of result would never have been achieved had our office not put together the finest public corruption unit in the country. I’m very proud of their work. This should send a clear message that in Alabama we hold public officials accountable for their actions.”
With his conviction, Hubbard is immediately removed from office, per state law. Alabama Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey wasted no time in offering her thoughts on the conviction.
“The verdict reached by 12 Lee County jurors brings finality to a lengthy legal process that has impacted our state government and public trust,” Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey (R) said in a statement to AL.com. “I pray that Mike, his wife Susan, and their sons will be strengthened and supported through the uncertainties of this difficult time. I respect the jury’s hard work and accept their findings. It is not easy to sit in judgment and these jurors did their duty as citizens of Alabama."
Hubbard faces a maximum penalty of two to twenty years imprisonment and fines of up to $30,000.00 for each count, all of which are Class B Felonies. He will be sentenced on July 8, 2016.
Southern Torch will continue to report on this issues as details emerge and what the fallout from Hubbard's conviction will mean for the Alabama Legislature, Republican politics, and the face of Alabama politics as we know it. Stay tuned.
