Alabama governor denies having 'physical affair' with top adviser
On Wednesday, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) admitted that he made "inappropriate" comments to his top political adviser, Rebekah Mason, but denied having a sexual relationship with her.
AL.com reports that in 2014, members of Bentley's family recorded him while trying to determine if he was having a relationship with Mason. On the tape, Bentley can be heard telling a woman he calls Rebekah that he loves her and enjoys touching her intimately. Bentley, who apologized to the people of Alabama during his press conference, said he has made amends with his family, Mason, and Mason's family, and will not step down from his position. He also said he loves all of his staff members, but "absolutely" loves "some more than others."
Bentley was accused of having an affair with Mason by former Alabama Law Enforcement Secretary Spencer Collier, who said the governor told him he was "madly in love" with Mason and would lease a state plane so Mason's name was not on the flight manifests (a claim Bentley denies). Collier was fired on Tuesday by Bentley, following an internal investigation that found possible wrongdoing under his watch, AL.com reports. Collier says once he came across evidence of the affair, he warned Bentley that if it was found he misused state resources during the relationship, criminal charges could be filed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Last August, Bentley's wife filed for divorce, but did not say if the tapes were a factor in her decision. Mason is not a state employee, and works for the Alabama Council for Excellent Government, a 501(c)(4) established to promote Bentley's political agenda, AL.com reports. Mason said in a statement she is a victim of "gender bias," and "there are still some people who are set on hindering the ability of women to work in the political arena."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published