What’s Next for Mike Hubbard as He Prepares for Trial?

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A trial almost three years in the making is in its final chapters this week. Jury selection for the case against Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard begins May 16. Hubbard faces 23 counts of using public offices for private gain.

Two of the charges allege he was paid to represent companies before the governor’s office. Another claims he sought help in obtaining business clients from former Governor Bob Riley, who is now a registered lobbyist.

“To begin with, this is the key political story of the year,” says Political Analyst Steve Flowers. “Evolving, it’s been evolving for two or three years now. And finally the trial is coming fruition, and they will select the jury this week over in Lee County. Which is the Auburn-Opelika area, where Speaker Hubbard is from. He’s the representative from that area.”

Flowers says the jury selection is one of the first and possibly hardest trials Hubbard will have to overcome.

“You know, that’s a high hurdle he’s got to overcome,” says Flowers. “And that jury over there is not necessarily the best venue. It’s going to be a very sophisticated jury, you’re going to have a lot of college professors on that jury.”

If Hubbard is convicted of even one of his 23 ethics charges, Flowers thinks it could mean the end of his political career.

“The jury’s only got to find him guilty of one of 23, he not only is removed as speaker of the house, he is removed from the house. So you’ll have a whole new representative from over there.”

Flowers says at one point, Hubbard had his sights set on a much higher position than Speaker of the House.

“The presumption was that he was going to be a candidate for governor,” says Flowers. “I think probably just the indictment has harmed his position to run for governor. And it’ll be a very crowded field in two years.”

Even if his future run for governor is cancelled before it begins, he could still have a future in politics, if not found guilty on the charges.

“I suspect he may continue as speaker though,” says Flowers. “If he does survive this trial, he will probably stay as speaker.”

If Hubbard is found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of two to 20 years. There are some big names in Alabama politics being called to testify, including Governor Robert Bentley and former Governor Bob Riley. The 23 counts include:

• Four counts of using of his office as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party for personal gain;
• One count of voting for legislation with a conflict of interest;
• Eleven counts of soliciting or receiving a thing of value from a lobbyist or principal;
• Two counts of using his office as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for personal gain;
• Four Counts of lobbying an executive department or agency for a fee;
• One count of using state equipment, materials, etc. for private gain.

Once jury is selected, trial should begin the following week.