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Alabama Ethics Commission

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Jon Mason Amends Filings, But Does It Add Up?

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On Thursday, Jon Mason, husband of Rebekah Caldwell Mason, former advisor to Governor Robert Bentley, filed amended forms with the Alabama Ethics Commission for his 2011, 2012, and 2013 filings. Mason owns JRM Enterprises, Inc., a Tuscaloosa-based advertising, marketing, and design firm. As reported by this publication earlier this … Continued
April 15, 2016

Davis Approved To Work For Arc Terminals

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—The Alabama Ethics Commission has issued an opinion that would allow Rep. Randy Davis (R-Daphne) to accept a position with Arc Terminals, a principal with business before the State. State law makes in illegal for a legislator to receive a thing of value from a principal, in this case: … Continued
April 14, 2016

Senator Claims 43 Contracts are “Reoccurring Litigation Clients”

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On his first Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) filed with the Alabama Ethics Commission (in 2010), Sen. Phil Williams (R-Rainbow) listed no professional or consulting clients. However, on his latest filing for 2014, he enumerated 43. Williams’ clients include: 3 Loan and/or Finance Companies worth between $1,000 – $10,000 … Continued
January 4, 2016

AG Strange, DA President Caution Lawmakers on Ethics Opinion

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—A letter from Attorney General Luther Strange and Scott Anderson, President of the Alabama District Attorney’s Association to State legislators made it clear, that despite the flawed and confusing opinion given to Rep. Patrica Todd (D-Birmingham), by the Alabama Ethics Commission it was still a felony crime for a … Continued
November 19, 2015

Former Ethics Chief: Hubbard Without Ethics Protection

By Susan Britt Alabama Political Reporter OPELIKA—James L. Sumner, Executive Director of the Alabama Ethics Commission for close to 18 years before his retirement last year, testified yesterday the legal protections afforded to public officials and employees who seek formal ethics opinions do not apply to people seeking what he termed “informal opinions.” Sumner appeared … Continued
October 30, 2015

Executive On Loan Forbidden. Well, Sort of…

By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—On October 7, in a unanimous vote, the Alabama Ethics Commission approved an opinion that would end the practice of Executive On Loan, sort of, because future arrangements would be evaluated on a “case-by-case” basis. (See opinion here.) In an unusual move, the Commission unilaterally issued the opinion without … Continued
October 14, 2015

Ethics Commission’s Latest Opinion Should Result in Legislative Action

  By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter At its October 7 meeting, in a spectacle more reminiscent of a Soviet-era Troika, the Alabama Ethics Commission dismissed the request by the State’s Attorney General Luther Strange, and all of the State’s District Attorneys, to reconsider its opinion which effectively allowed Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) to lobby … Continued
October 8, 2015

Is The Alabama Ethics Commission Unethical?

By Lowell Barron  The Alabama Ethics Commission in August issued an opinion that guts the Alabama ethics law. Attorney General Luther Strange and Alabama district attorneys immediately voiced their strong opposition. The Attorney General and DAs detailed how this opinion misinterprets Alabama law and makes a mockery of ethics in Alabama. It is no secret … Continued
September 25, 2015

Hubbard Strikes Out At Attorney General

  By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—In his latest motion to have the 23 felony changes again him dismissed, Speaker Mike Hubbard claims Attorney General Luther Strange is out to get him because he wants to eliminate as a rival for the Governorship in 2018. If this, “…sounds like deja vu all over again,” … Continued
September 24, 2015

Senators Question Ethics Opinions

  By Bill Britt Alabama Political Reporter MONTGOMERY—Recent opinions issued under the guidance of new Ethics Director Tom Albritton are increasingly facing criticism from the press and members of the State legislature. Ethics opinions written for Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham), Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson, and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston), have all … Continued
September 22, 2015