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Alabama's Governor has resigned rather than face impeachment over campaign finance violations linked to the cover-up of an extramarital affair.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has resigned after pleading guilty to abusing his office, allegedly to conceal an affair with a political adviser.
[...] The Associated Press describes the scene as the plea agreement was signed:
"Bentley appeared sullen and looked down at the floor during the Monday afternoon session. ...
"The agreement specifies that Bentley must surrender campaign funds totaling $36,912 within a week and perform 100 hours of community service as a physician. He also cannot seek public office again."
The governor, a Republican, was briefly booked into Montgomery jail, according to local media reports, before heading to the state Capitol to announce his resignation.
Republican state Rep. Ed Henry, who had introduced articles of impeachment against Bentley last year, said, "I think we have a great day for Alabama, where justice was done. Corruption was spotted, recognized and dealt with. ... even though it was slower and little more painful than we had anticipated."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday April 12 2017, @11:44PM (2 children)
The U.S. Congress is allowing tax payer money to be directly funneled into the Trump businesses by his weekend junkets, and his wife staying in New York. Guess who happens to own the places where they are staying? When is Congress going to do its job?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 13 2017, @02:43AM
January 2019.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 13 2017, @05:29AM
It may have started with the Clintons. They took some flak for making the Secret Service pay rent at their house.
Presidents are strongly encouraged to use Air Force 1, but they can use whatever they like, including commercial flights (as Nixon once did) and personal aircraft. Everybody on the plane pays typical first-class airfare rates, with the government paying for those who are flying on official business. (of course, no need to actually bill when the payer is the payee)
The expense of Air Force 1 is pocket change for the USA. We don't benefit from discouraging use of the aircraft; this would encourage the president to be unsafe and difficult to contact.