adminOn Friday evening, a jury in Lee County, AL, convicted Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R – Auburn) on 12 of 23 felony counts stemming from charges that he misused his office for personal gain. As part of the conviction, he has been removed from office.
The jury heard from about 40 witnesses during 12 days of testimony that ended Thursday. Hubbard, 54, was accused of using his public positions to illegally make $2.38 million for his businesses. He was convicted after a jury spent seven hours of deliberation and was immediately taken into custody and placed in the Lee County jail before being released on $160,000 bond Friday night, according to the Associated Press.
The former speaker, who testified for three days in his own defense, continues to deny all the charges and now faces up to 20 years in prison for each ethics count. Sentencing is set for July 8.
Speaker Pro Tempore Victor Gaston (R – Mobile) is now the acting Speaker until the Alabama House of Representatives reconvenes and has the opportunity to elect a new Speaker.
