Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R), who’s been dogged in recent weeks by allegations that he had an affair with a former top aide, said Thursday that he has “no problem” with state legislators considering a resolution that would form a committee to consider articles of impeachment, AL.com reported.
The state constitution allows the House to pursue an impeachment, but that chamber does not currently have a system in place to carry it out, according to the report. A potential 15-member committee would allow impeachment articles against Bentley introduced earlier this month to move forward.
“I really have no problem with that simply because they do need a way to look at this for everybody,” Bentley said, as quoted by AL.com. “It’s not me. They’re looking at it for everybody because it’s unclear.”
Rep. Matt Fridy (R), the state representative who introduced a resolution this week that spelled out how to form the committee, insisted that it was not aimed at Bentley.
Bentley has maintained that he will not resign and said Thursday that there has “never been any reason for impeachment,” according to AL.com.
Bentley’s former chief adviser, Rebekah Mason, resigned after Spencer Collier, a state official fired by Bentley, came forward last month with what he said was evidence that the governor and Mason engaged in the long-rumored affair.
Bentley has maintained that he did not have a physical relationship with Mason, who is married and has children. But he did apologize for things he said to Mason that he conceded were “inappropriate.”
Bentley and his wife, Dianne, divorced last year. Dianne Bentley filed for the divorce citing “complete incompatibility of temperament.”
Also on Thursday, USA Today reported that the governor took Mason as his guest to a formal White House dinner in February, one month before Collier said he had evidence of Bentley’s alleged affair with his aide. Bentley’s ex-wife had attended the dinner with the governor in previous years.
Collier, the former head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Bentley, Mason, and other state officials. The lawsuit alleged wrongful termination, defamation of character and invasion of privacy, AL.com reported.
Bentley’s office did not return AL.com’s request for comment on Collier’s lawsuit.
Other details that previously emerged from the scandal include that a state helicopter brought Bentley his wallet after he reportedly left it behind following a fight with his ex-wife. The governor also allegedly spent $1,732.68 on “cell phones and prepaid wireless” at Best Buy.
A vote on Bentley’s impeachment could come as soon as Tuesday, The Anniston Star reported.
