By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
OPELIKA—Today, Michael G. Hubbard, former Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives was sentenced to 4 years in State prison to be followed by 16 years supervised probation and ordered to pay $210,000 in fines.
After a 13 day trial, Hubbard was found guilty of 12 felony counts of public corruption, out of the 23 charges brought by the State.
Even after being found guilty, Hubbard showed no remorse, telling friends and family that his conviction was part of a “witch hunt,” perpetrated by Attorney General Luther Strange and Special Prosecution Division Chief Matt Hart.
Judge Jacob Walker, III, said at sentencing that this was a serious matter. He also said that there were no sentencing guidelines, because this case fell outside of any guidelines.
Walker said, since the Prosecution could not identify a victim with case precedent, he could not impose restitution.
Hubbard was taken to be processed, but Walker said that he “would be inclined” to take an appeal bond. As of this report, an appeal has not been filed, although Baxley said to the press corp after the hearing that he intended to file an appeal.
