By Josh Moon
Alabama Political Reporter
The Alabama Attorney General’s Office’s investigation into former Gov. Robert Bentley’s administration isn’t over yet.
During a hearing on Monday in the wrongful termination suit filed by former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency secretary, Spencer Collier, attorneys for parties on both sides mentioned that some collection of discovery materials – particularly those involving Bentley’s former top aide, Rebekah Mason – had been delayed by an ongoing criminal investigation.
Sources close to that investigation confirmed to APR that the AG’s office never stopped investigating certain members of the Bentley administration or his relationship with Mason and other related matters. In fact, the sources said that investigation has ramped up of late, with fresh activity.
What the primary focus of the investigation is at this point is unclear, and the sources said they could not elaborate past the basic details.
The original investigation into Bentley, which was handled by the AG’s office’s special prosecutions team, resulted in Bentley pleading guilty last April to two misdemeanor campaign violations and resigning from office.
However, there were a number of other issues on the table at the time, including Bentley’s possible misuse of state funds and state personnel to facilitate his alleged relationship with Mason and a number of payments to Mason and her husband. However, Bentley’s plea agreement gives him broad immunity from future prosecution.
Additionally, the AG’s office could potentially investigate Collier’s allegations in his lawsuit against Bentley and others that he was improperly investigated by ALEA agents at Bentley’s request and that false information was leaked about Collier from that investigation.
Whatever the focus of the AG’s office, Mason seems to be taking the matter seriously. She has retained Montgomery attorney, Bobby Segall, one of the state’s top defense attorneys.
