MONTGOMERY, AL (EETV) - Alabama Governor Robert Bentley held a press conference on Friday morning asking for forgiveness from the people of Alabama. This conference comes after a year-long investigation that has determined that there is probable cause that the Governor violated ethics and campaign finance laws.
"I do not plan to resign," said Bentley, "I have done nothing illegal. If the people want to know if I misused state resources, the answer is simply no. I have not."
On Friday afternoon another press conference was held, this one by Alabama Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon. In the meeting, McCutcheon sent a very different tone than his Republican counterpart.
"Today I have a difficult task and one I never, in a million years thought I would have to shoulder. As speaker of the Alabama House, it is time for me to ask Governor Bentley to resign from office and put this matter behind us," said McCutcheon.
The speaker expressed that the governor's resignation would end embarrassment to the state, improve economic development in the state, and "Allow Alabamians to once again look at the capitol with pride rather than shame."
The Speaker went on to say, "If Governor Bentley would take a moment to consider the effect of his position and what it is having on our state, its reputation, and its citizens, then I am hopeful he will do the right thing and step down from office immediately"
McCutcheon said he expressed the same thoughts to Bentley in person this morning.
While Bentley says he will not step down, he says he has let the people of Alabama down.
"There's no doubt that I have let you down and all I ask is that you continue to pray for me and I will continue to pray for you."
Full Speech Here
