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By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Former Deputy State Finance Director, Clinton Carter, is returning to the government service to advise on revenue and financial policy.  According to sources in Governor Robert Bentley’s inner circle, and those with close ties to Finance, Carter is being groomed to replace Acting Finances Director, Bill Newton. Reliable insiders … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Even though the shoddily implemented STAARS accounting software is still causing major headaches for agencies and vendors, the Department of Finances is doubling down on a troubled new time and attendance system named eSTART. All agencies, major and minor, are reporting unanimously: eSTART doesn’t lives up to the hype. … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Almost two years after his indictment, Michael G. Hubbard was convicted and sentenced to 96 years, with a split sentence of 4 years in State prison, with no “good time” or chance of parole, and 16 years supervised probation. Judge Jacob Walker, III, also ordered Hubbard to pay fines … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY— Former “Top Cop” Spencer Collier is suing Governor Robert Bentley and Stan Stabler (Collier’s replacement) in a civil lawsuit as individual citizens and not in their official government capacity. However, today, Bentley and Stabler will ask the Legislative Contract Review Board to approve $150,000 for lawyers to represent … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On day six of the Mike Hubbard felony trial, former Republican State Senator, Steve French, took the stand to testify about a meeting between he and Hubbard. Under oath he recounted that he was sent by then Sterne Agee’s CEO, Jim Holbrook, to discuss with Hubbard the pending Jefferson … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Under the 2014 Forfeiture Act, the State can seize Mike Hubbard’s assets, because they were used in the commission of a crime. Hubbard, on June 10, was found guilty of twelve felony counts of public corruption for which he faces up to twenty years in State prison, and $30,000 … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter OPELIKA—Day six of the Mike Hubbard trial, who is charged with 23 counts of felony corruption, began with a whimper, then exploded, and by mid-day it looked as if at least one more person might be going to jail. Yesterday’s witnesses were: Governor Robert Bentley, Kate Grant, Dax Swatek, … Continued

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Today begins the fifth day in the felony criminal trial against Speaker Mike Hubbard, who is charged with 23 counts of public corruption. The State, on Friday, released the names of twelve witnesses who will give testimony on a range of topics including Hubbard’s role in placing 23 words … Continued