By Josh Moon
Alabama Political Reporter
Gov. Robert Bentley is on the verge of stepping down, having spent much of Sunday negotiating terms of a resignation with State lawmakers and Law Enforcement, numerous sources told APR.
Those sources – elected officials and Law Enforcement – said Bentley, beleaguered from the past 48 hours, had all but consented to stepping down, but the sides had not yet reached an agreeable deal that would halt not only the impeachment process but also weigh favorably for the Governor in the ongoing criminal investigations by State and Federal officials.
The sources said a steady stream of Bentley’s friends and confidants have spoken to the Governor since the Friday release of the House Judiciary Committee’s investigative report. That report and its supporting documentation revealed embarrassing details about Bentley’s relationship with former aide Rebekah Mason and provided evidence of potential criminal misuse of State resources.
The juicy details have been the talk of the state and the fallout has weighed heavily on the 74-year-old Bentley.
Serious talks about his resignation began early on Friday, as current Republican lawmakers and party officials made personal, in-person pleas to the governor. That included House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and former Rep. Elwyn Thomas.
In addition, officials from Alabama Attorney General’s office were was involved in negotiating with Bentley on Friday afternoon and at other times throughout the weekend.
The public calls for Bentley’s resignation have also stacked up. McCutcheon followed Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh by publicly calling for Bentley’s resignation. On Sunday, the Alabama Republican Party leadership issued a public call for the Governor’s resignation.
Should Bentley elect to turn away from the negotiations, the heat will not decrease anytime soon. The Judiciary Committee is set to hear from special counsel Jack Sharman, who prepared the salacious report, on Monday at 10. Sharman is expected to publicly detail the report he released and provide the committee with evidence he collected and witnesses that he used to gather the information.
This article was updated to clarify that the Attorney General is not engaged in any negotiations with Bentley.
