By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY—Earlier this month, convicted felon and former Alabama Speaker of the House, Mike Hubbard, sent an email to “business leader(s)” encouraging then to read his latest motion.
Hubbard writes, “…it very clearly lays out multiple reasons a new trial should be held, explains why the verdict on each charge was incorrect and how it negatively impacts business moving forward.”
Hubbard’s latest email appears to be a continuation of his public relations campaign to influence the public, remain relevant and raise much need cash for his criminal defense.
On August 5, Hubbard filed a motion in Lee County Circuit Court asking to dismiss all charges against him or grant him a new trial. He followed four days later with his plea to business leaders.
In the letter, Hubbard claims the trial Judge Jacob Walker, III, allowed “ridiculous…interpretations of the ethics law…which were never contemplated when passed,” and that the ruling makes it “impossible” for a lawmaker to have a “private sector job and not violate the law.”
Hubbard frames the message with a dire warning to business owners. He claims the court’s rulings have “very serious issues with businesses and associations who employ lobbyists.” He warns company owners that the court has found, “that every member of a board is now a principal,” and that, “even asking for advice is a ‘thing of value’ and therefore a crime.”
Reportedly, the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) is lobbying for legislation to make only the signer of the Principal statement accountable under the ethics law.
Before closing, Hubbard reminds the recipients about prosecutorial misconduct, which he alleges, “…took place prior to the trial.”
He ends the note saying, “I hope you will read it and feel free to share it with others who may not understand exactly what took place and the dangerous precedent it sets.”
Neither in his plea before the court in August, nor in this email, does the disgraced former Speaker mine new ground. His letter, as well as his court filings, are simply the latest rehash of his public relations strategy to influence opinion and raise money for his defense. As one trial observer stated on background, “Bill Baxley doesn’t work for free.”
Those with close ties to Hubbard say he recently received a fifty-thousand dollar check to cover the most recent round of motions. Hubbard’s past reliance on campaign contributions to fund his defense is no longer viable. Those within his circle claim he is leaning on old friends to funnel money through third-parties into a legal defense fund as a way to postpone prison.
The email presents him as a man desperately trolling for friends and cash.
