From the Associated Press:
A jury on Friday found Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard guilty on 12 counts of public corruption — agreeing with prosecutors’ assertions that the powerful Republican used the influence and prestige of his political office to benefit his companies and clients.
The verdict automatically removes Hubbard, 54, from both the Legislature and the speaker’s office, ending the upward trajectory of the one-time GOP star. He spoke briefly with his attorneys before being escorted from the courtroom by a sheriff’s deputy.
“We hope this verdict tonight restores some of the confidence in the people of the state of Alabama that public officials at all levels in the state of Alabama will be held accountable for their actions, especially those that would betray the public trust,” said W. Van Davis, the acting attorney general in the case.
The conviction comes amid a season of scandal that has engulfed Republicans at the helm of the Alabama’s legislative, judicial and executive branches of government. Chief Justice Roy Moore faces possible ouster from office over accusations that he violated judicial ethics during the fight over same-sex marriage. And Gov. Robert Bentley has faced calls for his impeachment after a sex-tinged scandal involving a former top aide.
Hubbard was convicted under the very ethics law that he backed several years ago. Here’s what he said in January 2015 when Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage was struck down:
“It is outrageous when a single unelected and unaccountable federal judge can overturn the will of millions of Alabamians who stand in firm support of the Sanctity of Marriage Act. The Legislature will encourage a vigorous appeals process, and we will continue defending the Christian conservative values that make Alabama a special place to live.”