Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley Resigns From Office, Never Again To Hold Public Office

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The week opened with assumptions the Alabama Governor would resign this week amid charges revolving around his 2015 sex scandal.

Gov. Bentley explained himself in a press conference today:

“I can no longer allow my family, my dear friends, my dedicated staff and cabinet to be subjected to consequences that my past actions have brought upon them. — Though I have committed myself to working to improve the lives of the people of our state, there have been times that I have let you and our people down, and I’m sorry for that.”

From AL.com :

Embattled Gov. Robert Bentley this afternoon agreed to a deal that forced him to resign the office of governor, plead guilty to two misdemeanors and agree to never again to hold public office.

Bentley, as part of the deal, was expected to:

Resign immediately and leave public life.

Plead guilty to two campaign violations: converting campaign contributions for personal gain and failing to report campaign contributions.

Serve two years of probation.

Perform 100 hours of unpaid community service as a physician.

Repay the $8,912 his campaign spent on the legal fees of former aide Rebekah Mason, whose involvement with Bentley led to the charges against him.

Forfeit all the money in his campaign account, which is currently a little more than $25,000. The money will go into state coffers.