MONTGOMERY—Acting as Attorney General in this matter, W. Van Davis announced the arrest Monday of Michael Gregory Hubbard, a representative from the 79th District in the Alabama House of Representatives, Speaker of the House, and former Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, for felony ethics law violations. Speaker Hubbard, 52, of Auburn, surrendered Monday afternoon to special agents of the Attorney General’s Office at the Lee County Jail.
Acting Attorney General Davis is a supernumerary district attorney who was appointed by Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange to handle matters regarding an ongoing investigation involving potential public corruption in Alabama. Speaker Hubbard’s indictment* arises out of that matter.
Acting Attorney General Davis and attorneys with the Special Prosecutions Division presented evidence to a Lee County Special Grand Jury resulting in Speaker Hubbard’s indictment. Specifically, the indictment charges Speaker Hubbard with the following twenty-three felony Ethics Law violations:
• Four counts of using of his office as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party for personal gain, in violation of Section 36-25-5(a) of the Code of Alabama (Counts 1-4);
• One count of voting for legislation with a conflict of interest, in violation of Section 36-25-5(b) of the Code of Alabama (Count 5);
• Eleven counts of soliciting or receiving a thing of value from a lobbyist or principal, in violation of Section 36-25-5.1(a) of the Code of Alabama (Counts 6,10,15-23)
• Two counts of using his office as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for personal gain, in violation of Section 36-25-5(a) of the Code of Alabama (Counts 7,11,);
• Four Counts of lobbying an executive department or agency for a fee, in violation of Section 36-25-1.1 of the Code of Alabama (Counts 8-9, 12-13);
• One count of using state equipment, materials, etc. for private gain, in violation of Section 36-25-5(c) of the Code of Alabama (Count 14).
If convicted, Speaker Hubbard faces a maximum penalty of 2 to 20 years imprisonment and fines of up to $30,000 for each count, all of which are Class B Felonies.
Acting Attorney General Davis commended those who are handling this case, noting in particular Special Prosecutions Division Chief Matt Hart, Deputy Attorney General Mike Duffy and investigators with the Special Prosecutions Division.
No further information about the investigation or about Speaker Hubbard’s alleged crimes other than stated in the indictment may be released at this time. No additional comment will be available at this time.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
