Top aide to Alabama governor resigns amid allegations of an affair


One week after Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) admitted he made "inappropriate" comments to his top political adviser, that aide announced she is resigning from her post.
On Wednesday, Rebekah Caldwell Mason said in a statement her "only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly. They are the most important people in my life." Bentley released his own statement, saying he appreciated Mason's "service to my administration and the people of this state. I wish the best for her and her family."
While Bentley admitted he made "inappropriate" comments to Mason two years ago, he denied ever having a sexual relationship with her. Former Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier told AL.com last week that in 2014, Bentley did have an affair, and promised he would end it. Collier said he saw texts and heard recordings "of a sexual nature" between Bentley and Mason; audio recordings allegedly of Bentley talking to Mason have since been leaked to the media. Mason has denied the allegations and said she was the victim of "gender bias," and Bentley said again on Wednesday he does not intend to resign. One Alabama lawmaker is moving to start impeachment against Bentley because of the scandal.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
BookTok is reviving publishing – but at what cost?
In The Spotlight Social media recommendations are boosting book sales but critics give the trend mixed reviews
-
Canyons under the Antarctic have deep impacts
Under the radar Submarine canyons could be affecting the climate more than previously thought
-
Codeword: September 5, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
-
Epstein accusers urge full file release, hint at own list
speed read A rally was organized by Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who are hoping to force a vote on their Epstein Files Transparency Act
-
Court hands Harvard a win in Trump funding battle
Speed Read The Trump administration was ordered to restore Harvard's $2 billion in research grants
-
Florida aims to end all state vaccine requirements
Speed Read Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to cut vaccine access and install anti-vaccine activists at the FDA and CDC
-
US kills 11 on 'drug-carrying boat' off Venezuela
Speed Read Trump claimed those killed in the strike were 'positively identified Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists' shipping drugs to the US
-
Trump vows to send federal forces to Chicago, Baltimore
Speed Read The announcement followed a California judge ruling that Trump's LA troop deployment was illegal
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billions
Speed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer