Alabama Governor Robert Bentley resigned on Monday after pleading guilty to two misdemeanors related to campaign finance violations and linked to his relationship with a former adviser, ending a year-long scandal that has enveloped the state's government.

The guilty pleas were part of an agreement with prosecutors that called for him to step down, said Ellen Brooks, special prosecutor appointed by the state Attorney General Steve Marshall to investigate Bentley.

"I have decided it is time for me to step down as Alabama governor," said Bentley at a news conference in the state capital of Montgomery, adding that his service "was a calling that God placed on my life."

He said he would work with his replacement, Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey, who was sworn in as governor about an hour after his resignation.

Ivey, a Republican, becomes the second woman to serve as Alabama's governor after Lurleen Wallace, wife of George Wallace, who served from January 1967 until her death in May 1968.

"The Ivey administration will be open, it will be transparent, and it will be honest," Ivey said during a short speech after her swearing in by the minister at her Montgomery Baptist church.

"What we have done today is to put an end to this administration," Brooks told reporters. "It states to all of us that no one is above the law, even the governor."

The Alabama Ethics Commission last week found Bentley probably violated ethics and campaign finance laws after it completed an investigation into allegations that he used public funds to conceal his relationship with Rebekah Mason, a senior adviser who later resigned.

It accused Bentley of ordering law enforcement officers to track down recordings that suggested he had had an affair with Mason and accused him of retaliating against an official who discovered the relationship.

Bentley has denied having a physical relationship with Mason, who is married, and had repeatedly vowed not to resign, saying he had done nothing illegal. His marriage of 50 years also ended as the scandal unfolded.

In his statement on Monday, Bentley apologized for his actions, but did not mention a relationship with Mason.

He was charged with misuse of campaign funds and failure to file campaign financial reports on a timely basis.

After his guilty pleas, an Alabama judge ordered Bentley to serve one year of unsupervised probation, make restitution and give up his retirement benefits from the state. He also agreed not to run for another political office, Brooks said.

After Bentley agreed to the deal, the Alabama House Judiciary Committee suspended hearings which began on Monday that could have led to his impeachment.

During the hearing, Bentley told several top aides "what happens in the governor's office stays in the governor's office," Jack Sharman, the committee's counsel, said regarding allegations regarding his relationship with Mason.


Source: Reuters News

Source pls. A Governor resign in Naija? Thats not possible.

If this where Naija, the man would continue to deny deny deny while his supporters would come here and say the evidence against him was photoshopped or that the reason he was being investigated is because he spoke out against the govt.

Goodness!

Our sit tight state emperors here in Naija cannot resign on account of anything, Nigeria is a failed
country par excellence

He resigned because he was CORRUPT, found GUILTY, & FORCED to resign as part of a plea bargain. He even kept denying till he knew he was going to be impeached. So you people should stop comparing him to Nigerian politicians, he did nothing honorable.

Nigeria politician won't resign even if the evidence is as glaring as the ray of light. He will argue and drag it till the prosecutors are tired. He will go to court to obtain restriction orders and bail... This country sha

A Nigerian judge would have been some millions richer through series of adjournments

TonyeBarcanista:
Nigeria politician won't resign even if the evidence is as glaring as the ray of light. He will argue and drag it till the prosecutors are tired. He will go to court to obtain restriction orders and bail... This country sha

Don't complain and don't forget, your ban of PDP leaders contributed in making this country the shame that it is today.

Ahmed0336:
Source pls. A Governor resign in Naija? Thats not possible.

Africa as a whole.