By Josh Moon and Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY — Gov. Robert Bentley has agreed to resign later today, several sources have confirmed to The Alabama Political Reporter.
The Governor reached an agreement with State lawmakers and Law Enforcement officials early Monday morning to step down. The terms of the deal were not immediately available.
Bentley’s resignation comes after a tumultuous weekend following the release of a salacious report from the House Judiciary Committee’s special counsel, Jack Sharman.
Sources told APR on Sunday that a steady stream of Bentley’s friends and confidants have spoken to the Governor since the Friday release of Sharman’s investigative report. That report and its supporting documentation revealed embarrassing details about Bentley’s relationship with former aide Rebekah Mason and provided evidence of potential criminal misuse of State resources.
The juicy details have been the talk of the State and the fallout has weighed heavily on the 74-year-old Bentley.
Serious talks about his resignation began early on Friday, as current Republican lawmakers and party officials made personal, in-person pleas to the Governor. That included House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and former Rep. Elwyn Thomas.
The public calls for Bentley’s resignation have also stacked up. McCutcheon followed Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh by publicly calling for Bentley’s resignation. On Sunday, the Alabama Republican Party leadership issued a public call for the Governor’s resignation.
The Judiciary Committee’s impeachment hearings began at 10 a.m. on Monday.
