Speaker Mike Hubbard Arrested, Released and Back on the Campaign Trail
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Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard was arrested Monday afternoon on charges of felony ethics violations. If convicted, Hubbard faces anywhere between two and 20 years in prison.
Speaker Mike Hubbard is not shying away from the public. After he was released from jail today, he came here to the Auburn Police Department to campaign.
Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard turned himself in to the Lee County Jail Monday afternoon around 4PM. He was released about an hour later, after posting an 86 thousand dollar property bond. Hubbard’s attorney, Mark White, says he believes the grand jury investigation is nothing more than politics.
”Well, it’s two weeks before the election, the attorney general at 10am this morning has a press conference to say ;even one public official that’s in trouble is bad; and then I get a call at 2 o’clock. Do you think its politics?”
Hubbard is charged with 23 counts of felony ethics violations, which include six counts of using his office for personal gain, voting for legislation with a conflict of interest, and 11 counts of receiving a thing of value from lobbyists.
”The speaker at this point in this process, having been subjected to two years of the most cruel treatment imaginable is totally comfortable and confident because as of right now, all of the restraints that were on us as a result of the grand jury laws are gone,” White says. ”And so this is, in some ways for us, this is the beginning of our day where we tell our story.”
But Hubbard didn’t let his arrest keep him off the campaign trail. He arrived at the Auburn Police Department Monday evening to take part in a forum for the League of Women Voters. Though political analyst Steve Flowers says Hubbard’s indictment could end up hurting his political career.
”The first piece of business they do, the first item they take up in January when they convene, is they elect a speaker. And I’m very doubtful they’ll reelect him speaker.”
Mike Hubbard did not speak to the media about his arrest. He only answered questions taken from those in attendance at the forum. The questions were first written on notecards.
