Acting Head of ALEA Reports Possible Misuse of State Funds

Stan Stabler, the acting secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, has released the following statement on the operations of ALEA:

“On Feb. 17, I was appointed to serve as the Acting Secretary of Law Enforcement. Over the past month, I worked closely with my staff to evaluate all aspects of ALEA, address agency issues, and implement changes which have already resulted in more than $250,000 in savings.

“ALEA’s Integrity Unit conducted a thorough internal review of the operations, policies and procedures of the agency. The Integrity Unit review found a number of concerns including the possible misuse of state funds. Findings of the review have been submitted to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office for further action.

“My priority as ALEA’s Acting Secretary remains the same – to carry out the mission of the agency and ensure our law enforcement officers and support staff honorably provide service, protection, and safety for all of our citizens,” Stabler said.

In late February, Stabler says he ordered an internal review of the operations, policies and procedures at ALEA.  He says on February 29, two non-merit positions and two retired state employee positions were eliminated.

Stabler became the acting secretary earlier this year, after Gov. Robert Bentley put Secretary Spencer Collier on leave. Collier was put on leave for medical reasons, but AL.com reports also because the governor says Collier failed to follow an order not to submit a sworn statement in the ethics case against indicted House Speaker Mike Hubbard.