MONTGOMERY, Alabama --- Mike Hubbard, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives and a powerful leader in the state Republican Party, has been indicted by a grand jury and charged with 23 counts, including using his office for personal gain and soliciting things of value.
If convicted, Hubbard faces a maximum penalty of two to 20 years in prison and up to $30,000 in fines for each count.
Hubbard, 52, who led a historic Republican takeover of the state Legislature during the 2010 election, was charged after an investigation in his home county that has lasted more than a year.
The charges against Hubbard include 23 class B felonies. Those charges include:
Four counts of using of his office as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party for personal gain;Eleven counts of soliciting or receiving a thing of value from a lobbyist or principal;Two counts of using his office as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for personal gain;Four Counts of lobbying an executive department or agency for a fee;One count of using state equipment, materials, etc. for private gain.
According to the indictment, Hubbard solicited favors from some of Alabama's rich and powerful. They include former Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Business Council of Alabama CEO Billy Canary, Hoar Construction CEO Rob Burton, Great Southern Wood CEO Jimmy Rane, former Sterne Agee CEO James Holbrook, lobbyist Minda Riley Campbell, Harbert Management Corp. vice president Will Brooke and political operative Dax Swatek.
Most gave Hubbard what he wanted, according to the indictment, including major investments into Hubbard's company, Craftmaster Printing.
The special grand jury was called last year. Attorney General Luther Strangerecused himself from the investigationand appointed former St. Clair County District Attorney Van Davis to oversee it.
A letter from Strange to Davis made public in court records named Hubbard as the focus of the probe.
Hubbard has denied wrongdoing and has said the investigation is politically motivated.
The indictment does not remove him from office or his position as speaker.
Earlier this year, the investigation resulted in charges against two other state lawmakers.
Rep. Greg Wren, R-Montgomery, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of using his office for personal gain. He resigned his House seat, was ordered to pay $24,000 in restitution and agreed to cooperate with investigators.
Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, was charged with perjury and giving false statements. Prosecutors accused Moore of lying to the grand jury in January.
Moore has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial beginning Oct. 27 in Lee County Circuit Court.
Source: Www.al.com
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