Top aide to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigns amid scandal

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A top political aide to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigned Wednesday, a week after Bentley publicly admitted making inappropriate remarks to her but denied the two ever had an affair.

Soon after, a GOP lawmaker said he planned to introduce a resolution to begin impeachment proceedings against the Republican governor.

Rebekah Caldwell Mason announced her resignation in a statement sent by the governor’s office, saying she would no longer serve as Bentley’s senior political adviser and would no longer be paid by his campaign fund or work for a nonprofit formed to promote his agenda.

“My only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly. They are the most important people in my life,” she said.

As Bentley’s confidante, sounding board, adviser and message molder, Mason has been there for the biggest moments of his political career, from his improbable 2010 election to the development of his major policy initiatives. More recently, she has been at the center of the lowest moment of his political career.

Last week, Mason was thrust into the spotlight when former Law Enforcement Secretary Spencer Collier – a day after being fired by Bentley – accused the 73-year-old governor of having an inappropriate relationship with Mason. The scandal has engulfed Bentley, a former Baptist deacon whose political ascendency was based partly on his morally upright, honest reputation.

Dianne Bentley, the governor’s ex-wife, filed for divorce in 2015 saying their 50-year marriage had suffered an irreparable breakdown.

Recordings obtained by the Associated Press purportedly show the governor – before his divorce – professing love to someone named Rebecca or Rebekah and telling her how much he enjoyed kissing and touching her.

The recordings were provided by a former administration member who did so on condition of anonymity.

In a furtive phone call, Bentley says his family is vacationing at the beach and tells the person on the other end: “I love you so much, I worry about loving you so much.”

Later, he talks about getting physical. Bentley says he meant to text the person, but accidentally sent the message to a male aide.

The governor in a news conference last week said he did not have a “physical affair” with Mason and there was no “sexual activity.”

The governor’s press office issued a statement this week saying, “The Governor has accepted responsibility for his behavior. He has apologized to his family, Rebekah Mason’s family and the people of Alabama for his inappropriate behavior on the recordings.

Although most Republicans have taken a measured reaction to Bentley’s admission, the fallout does not appear to be over. Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, said Wednesday he plans to introduce the impeachment resolution when the Alabama Legislature returns from spring break.

“There’s no credibility. There’s no confidence from the legislature or the people of this state in his office and his abilities,” Henry said.