By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
Series: Emails on Hubbard’s Road to Perdition, Article 3
The emails below were released by the State in February 2015, in response to Hubbard’s demand for a more defined statement of facts concerning his indictments.
Other articles on emails:
Emails and court records are being used by the State to substantiate Speaker Mike Hubbard’s (R-Auburn) use of his public office for personal gain, including a $12,000 per month contract with the Southeast Alabama Gas District (SEAGD). According to court records, “SEAGD paid Hubbard a total amount of $208,848.88 to work as an ‘economic development consultant’ from March 2012 to August 2013.”
In a March 5, 2013, press release, SEGAD’s incoming Director of Economic Development and Governmental Affairs, Wiley Lott stated, “The Speaker [Hubbard] and Mr. Camp have served this company well, and I will draw upon their experience and knowledge as we seek new opportunities for economic growth in the communities we serve.”
In 2013, the Alabama Political Reporter made it known that Hubbard signed the $12,000 contract with SEGAD.
According to the court filings, “Shortly after his election as Speaker of the House on December 8, 2010, Hubbard began experiencing serious financial problems. For example, his primary employer, IMG, informed him that he was being laid-off, effective March 31.”
The evidence shows that former Governor Bob Riley and others, helped Hubbard to obtain a contract with SEAGD.
Hubbard also met with Gov. Robert Bentley, and with Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield “on several occasions” regarding a project beneficial to SEAGD.
Under State law, it is illegal for a public official to receive pay to lobby the executive branch of State government.
Hubbard reported to SEAGD that on July 12, 2012, he had a meeting with Governor Bentley and his Chief of Staff, David Perry, to discuss a Commercial Jet project and the commitment the “State of Alabama would need to make as well as funding sources.”
The filings states, “Hubbard also wore the mantle of his office in recruiting an industrial refurbishing business (Commercial Jet), and to relocate its business operations to the southeast Alabama area.”
The prosecution shows in October 2012, “Hubbard reported to SEAGD that an executive from Hankook Tire, Mr. Kim, suggested that Hubbard travel to South Korea to visit with him. Hubbard explicitly noted the importance of his public office to Kim in his October 2012 activity report: ‘Mr. Kim believes that my role in government would mean a great deal and put Alabama at the top of the list if I were to visit.’ Hubbard further reported that he had spoken with Secretary Canfield and ensured that ‘our area’ is considered and “we are included in the mix.”
SEAGD paid for Hubbard to attend the Paris Air Show, where he “wore a name tag that identified him as Speaker of the House.”
An email from lobbyist and daughter of former Gov. Bob Riley Minda Riley Campbell to Hubbard, attached pictures of Hubbard and noted, “Here are the pictures I took of Mr. Speaker/Economic Development Superstar.”
On January 27, 2012, the Ethics Commission warned Hubbard not to use his position or mantle of his office to assist him in obtaining consulting opportunities, or providing benefits to his consulting business or his clients.
A Lee County Grand Jury found in counts 7-9 that Hubbard had used his office for personal gain, and that he had illegally lobbied the State’s Executive Branch for money.
