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Bentley political adviser Rebekah Mason resigns

Brian Lyman
Montgomery Advertiser

Rebekah Mason, a longtime aide to Gov. Robert Bentley, announced her resignation Wednesday afternoon amid a controversy over her personal and professional relationship with the governor.

-In this Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014 file photo, Republican Gov. Robert Bentley listens to a  phone call as Rebekah Mason, right, announces his win for Alabama governor, in Montgomery, Ala. Bentley defeated his opponent Democrat Parker Griffith. Bentley admitted Wednesday, March 23, 2016,  that he made inappropriate remarks to his senior political adviser, Rebekah Caldwell Mason. Bentley said he did not have a sexual relationship with Mason, but he apologized to his family and Mason's for his behavior.

Mason said in a statement she would no longer be paid from the governor's political campaign or the Alabama Council for Excellent Government (ACEGOV), a private entity created to support Bentley's policies.

"My only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly," the statement said.  "They are the most important people in my life. Thank you for your prayers for our family.”

In a brief statement Wednesday, Bentley thanked Mason for her work.

“I appreciate Rebekah Mason’s service to my administration and the people of this state," the statement said. "I wish the best for her and her family.”

Former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier last week accused Bentley and Mason of having an affair, and accused Bentley of using state resources to pursue it, though he said he had no proof. Collier also accused the two of trying to stop him from cooperating in an investigation into House Speaker Mike Hubbard.

Audio of Bentley making suggestive comments during a phone call has surfaced. The governor Wednesday acknowledged making inappropriate remarks to Mason and said he had apologized to her family and his own. Both the governor and Mason denied having a physical relationship, and Bentley denied any misuse of state funds. Mason accused Collier of sexism in making his allegations.

Bentley fired Collier on March 22, citing an internal study of ALEA that raised concerns, including "possible misuse of state funds." Collier strongly denied any misuse of state funds last week.

Mason worked with Bentley on his 2010 and 2014 gubernatorial campaigns and remained a prominent presence in his administration. She was a paid state employee through the end of July, 2013, when she began working on Bentley's re-election campaign. Mason remained an advisor to Bentley after the election and continued to be paid by the Bentley campaign. Last week, Mason said she received $15,000 from ACEGOV, a 501(c)(4) whose donors remain a mystery and whose activities last year appear limited.

State Auditor Jim Zeigler Friday submitted a report to the Alabama Ethics Commission summarizing the allegations against Bentley and arguing that Mason, being paid by ACEGOV, should have registered as a lobbyist. The Commission appears to be preparing an investigation into the complaint.

A handful of legislators last week called on Bentley to resign, and Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, said Wednesday he planned to file articles of impeachment aginst the governor. Bentley has said he has no plans to step down.

Mason's husband Jon works as the director of the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Services.