House Minority Leader Craig Ford Says Gov. Bentley Is Not Above The Law

In the recent wake of ALEA Director Spencer Collier being placed on leave by Governor Robert Bentley, House Minority Leader, Craig Ford, spoke up about Governor Bentley’s actions.

“Governor Robert Bentley has, in my opinion, committed what can only be termed obstruction of justice by pressuring the head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to refuse to provide an affidavit about information regarding an ongoing criminal investigation.  Governor Bentley ordered Director Spencer Collier to refuse to sign an affidavit that clarified the fact that it was defense attorneys in the case of Speaker Mike Hubbard who contacted ALEA requesting that they interview Baron Coleman.  It was not the agency that initiated contact with Coleman as Coleman claims.

The issue here is serious.  For the Governor to direct the head of the state’s top law enforcement agency to refuse to do his duty in a criminal investigation is obstruction of justice.  And now, it appears the Governor may have forced Director Collier to take a “medical leave” in retaliation for simply doing that duty.

Let me be clear: This is not about Speaker Mike Hubbard or the outcome of the proceedings in Lee County. This is about obstruction of justice, and the fact that the governor is not above the law.
This action on the part of the Governor’s Office should send chills through all law enforcement agencies and create outrage among all who value the rule of law.”