Alabama Governor Robert Bentley Resigns Over Sex Scandal

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, AL — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigned Monday night after striking a deal with prosecutors over misuse of campaign funds in connection with a sex scandal that has dogged the embattled politician. He was booked by the Montgomery County Sheriff Monday and signed a plea agreement assenting to the charges. The lid blew off the story last year when leaked audio recordings seemed to catch the governor speaking salaciously and candidly with his alleged mistress.

Prosecutors believed Bentley, who is divorced, used campaign funds to cover up his affair with Rebekah Caldwell Mason, a former staffer. Bentley pleaded to misdemeanor charges rather than potentially face felony convictions. Though he could technically spend up to a year in jail, observers do not expect him to serve time. Prosecutors agreed not to pursue felony convictions as a part of the plea agreement. Had he not resigned, Bentley would have faced impeachment.

For his part, Bentley agreed to resign as governor and immediately leave public life. He will serve two years probation, perform 100 hours of community service as a doctor, repay the misused campaign funds and abandon his campaign account, according to AL.com.

In a tweet, Bentley gave a farewell to his state. "Thank you, Alabama," he wrote. "From the bottom of my heart. God Bless our Great State."

Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey will become Alabama's governor.

As recently as Friday, Bentley was promising not to resign and swearing that he did nothing wrong. "Once again let me say, I do not plan to resign," he told the press. "I have done nothing illegal." However, after an Ethics Commission investigation found evidence of felonies, the now former governor found his back against a wall.

In a press conference Monday, Bentley had changed his tune. "Though I have committed myself to working to improve the lives of the people of our state," he said, "there have been times that I have let you and our people down, and I’m sorry for that.”

“The American people’s trust in their government depends on the integrity and dignity of those in office, and it is clear that Alabamians have lost this in Governor Bentley," said Sen. Richard Shelby, an Alabama Democrat. "As governor, Bentley was elected by the people of Alabama to the highest position of authority and should consequentially treat the office with the utmost respect. I believe he has made the right decision in offering his resignation."

The sheriff's office posted this mugshot, but later took it down:

Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly stated when the audio recordings were leaked. They were released to the media in March 2016.

Photo Credit: Montgomery County Sheriff