Alabama state Rep. Ed Henry (R) said Tuesday he was filing articles of impeachment later in the day to remove Gov. Robert Bentley (R) from office amid allegations that he was involved in an affair with his top aide.
Henry announced his intentions to file the resolution last week.
“We’re looking at this governor who has essentially betrayed the trust of the people of Alabama through actions and lies that have caused us to have some doubt in his leadership,” Henry said in a news conference. “If he truly loves the people of this state, he’ll step down.”
Bentley’s chief adviser, Rebekah Mason, announced her resignation last week, saying she wanted to focus on her family. Her resignation came after a state official fired by Bentley came forward with what he said was evidence that the governor and Mason engaged in a long-rumored affair.
Bentley responded to those allegations in a bizarre news conference where he insisted he did not have a physical relationship with Mason. But the governor did apologize for “the things that I said” to Mason that were reported in the press, calling those statements “inappropriate.”
The governor said Monday that he had asked God for forgiveness and gave “no signs” he intended to resign, according to MSNBC.
“I’ve asked God to forgive me because that’s the most important thing,” Bentley reportedly said. “I want back in His fellowship. And so I asked God to forgive me.”
Henry has said that if his resolution passes the House, it would go to the Senate for a vote. If it passes there, the governor would be impeached.
