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.

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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."