By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY—Co-author of convicted felon Mike Hubbard’s vanity fiction, “Storming the State House,” David Azbell continues to draw a taxpayer-funded check from the House Republican Caucus.
Earlier this month, Joint Legislative Contract Review approved a request for Azbell’s services as, “General consulting including constituent communications, written communications, strategic communications and other services,” for the House Majority Caucus.
Azbell’s contracts with the Caucus have brought him hundreds of thousands over the last several years, mainly doing Hubbard’s bidding. House Republican’s speaking on background express shock at Azbell being rehired. One lawmaker said, “If it’s a new day, why are we hiring Hubbard’s old cronies?” These lawmakers also say Azbell never worked for individual members, only Hubbard.
The only difference in Azbell’s contract is a reduction in pay from $96,000 a year to $47,000.
Azbell, a founding partner of Hubbard’s “kitchen cabinet” lobbying group, Swatek, Azbell, Howe & Ross (SAHR), is no longer affiliated with the firm. He was the only founding member not to appear as a witness in Hubbard’s trial. Even as Hubbard awaits prison, one of his closest advisors carries on with a government check courtesy of the Republican House of Representatives.
