Lawyer: House speaker indictment a political ploy
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) – House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s attorney says the indictment of Hubbard is political and Attorney General Luther Strange is behind it.
Attorney Mark White joined Hubbard and many of his supporters at a news conference Tuesday in Auburn.
A longtime friend of Hubbard’s, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, says the indictment is designed to knock him out as a possible candidate for governor in 2018.
A Lee County grand jury indicted Hubbard following an investigation led by the attorney general’s office.
Hubbard says he plans to win his legislative race Nov. 4 and continue as speaker of the Alabama House.
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STATEMENT FROM AG STRANGE ABOUT REP. MIKE HUBBARD PRESS CONFERENCE
“I made the decision to recuse myself from the matter involving Speaker Hubbard
months ago. I did so based on the recommendations of our career prosecutors and to
completely remove any appearance of politics being involved in the matter.
I appointed respected supernumerary district attorney Van Davis of St. Clair County
to serve as acting attorney general and to handle this case. I have confidence in his
ability to handle this matter fairly and completely without regard to politics. No one has
questioned Mr. Davis’ qualifications or his integrity.
Mr. Hubbard is entitled to the presumption of innocence and this matter will now be
handled, as it should be, in the court system.”
