By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Friday, July 8, disgraced former Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) was sentenced by Judge Walker to four years in prison plus sixteen years of probation and a $210,000 for 12 felony counts of violating Alabama’s ethics law…..ironically a bill that was championed by Mike Hubbard when he led the Alabama Republican Party takeover of both Houses of the Alabama legislature in 135 years.
State Representative Johnny Mack Morrow (D-Red Bay) is one of a handful of White Democrats who managed to survive that 2010 Republican landslide where then Alabama Republican Chairman Mike Hubbard promised the people of Alabama that Republicans would clean up Montgomery if only the people would trust them.
Representative Morrow reflected on Hubbard’s campaign promises after the sentencing on Friday. ·
Rep. Morrow said, “Today a Lee County Judge sentenced former Speaker Mike Hubbard to 4 years in prison. Before becoming Speaker, while Mike was serving in the Alabama House of Representatives, he was very good at criticizing House Speaker Seth Hamett and the Democrats. Many times he was quoted in saying that Democrats were “morally corrupt”. He could criticize quite well however when handed the reins of government, he became a total failure. His book, “Storming the Statehouse”, has been proven to be nothing but a pack of lies and deception. He is now a convicted felon and will have to pay for his crimes both monetarily and by serving prison time. Isn’t that what is supposed to happen?!? The Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives should be treated no differently than any other criminal. The laws we pass in the Alabama Legislative do apply to us.”
Morrow thanked Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, the prosecution team, and the jury for their service: “I again want to comment Luther Strange and his team for their hard work. I also want to commend the Lee County jury who performed their civic duty.”
Rep. Morrow concluded, “If you have any doubt concerning his guilt, then I strongly suggest that you read his emails (especially those he exchanged with former Governor Bob Riley). Simply “search” Mike Hubbard emails and see for yourself. As usual, the decision-maker in this case, Mike Hubbard, made all the decisions that landed him in prison. The innocent victims, his family, are in my thoughts and prayers. This indeed is a sad day in Alabama politics……”
Mike Hubbard meanwhile continues to maintain that he is innocent of every charge and has vowed to appeal all 12 of the guilty verdicts against him.
Hubbard defense attorney, Bill Baxley said in a press conference after the sentencing: “I’ve seen very few people convicted by a jury that I felt were innocent … I can count on one hand. I believe with all my being, after everything we’ve gone though, Mike Hubbard is absolutely innocent of every charge.”
Hubbard’s defense team has said that some of the jurors said negative things about Hubbard before the closing arguments were even made. The defense team is asking the Lee County Sheriff’s Department or other authorities to investigate the allegations that Hubbard was denied a fair trial before an impartial jury.
Representative Johnny Mack Morrow was first elected in 1990. The 73 year old Morrow retired as a business and economics Instructor from Northwest Junior College in 1998.
