(Video above: Hear the audio recording of Governor Robert Bentley having an inappropriate conversation with Rebekah Mason.)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A clip of the audio recordings revealing Alabama Governor Robert Bentley’s illicit affair with a staffer has now surfaced online.
Yellowhammer was given exclusive access to the content of audio recordings captured by Dianne Bentley, Governor Bentley’s ex-wife, during which Governor Bentley makes sexual advances on and recalls sexual encounters with Rebekah Mason, his former communications director who has since become his most senior external advisor. Mrs. Mason’s husband, Jon, also serves in the Bentley administration as Director of Serve Alabama, the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Volunteer Service.
One of the recordings was captured while Governor and Mrs. Bentley were visiting their beach house.
Mrs. Bentley, who had suspected the affair, went for a walk on the beach, but left her cell phone behind recording the audio of what took place in her absence.
During that time period, Governor Bentley can be heard making a phone call to “Rebekah” that includes sexual references to their time together.
“You know I just I worry about sometimes I love so you much,” Bentley says. “I worry about loving you so much.”
“You know what, when I stand behind you, and I put my arms around you and I put my hands on your breasts, and I put my head (inaudible), and pull you real close, hey, I love that, too — putting my hands under your shirt.”
“I love you. I love to talk to you,” he continues. “Baby, let me tell you what we’re going to have to start doing, we’re going to have to start locking the door. If we are going to do what we did the other day, we are going to have to start locking the door.”
The audio clip can be heard above.
Governor Bentley held a press conference Wednesday afternoon during which he acknowledged there had been an inappropriate relationship, but denied there had been a physical affair.
“I made a mistake,” Bentley said. “Two years ago I made a mistake. I have rectified that and I have moved on.”
When asked if Mrs. Mason had asked him to stop his advances, Governor Bentley said, “no.”
“What I’m saying is there was no sexual activity,” he insisted.
Asked if he is in love with Mrs. Mason, the Governor replied, “I love many members of my staff, in fact, all the members of my staff. Do I love some more than others, absolutely.”
Bentley’s statements followed a press conference held by Spencer Collier, the former head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Collier said he had warned Bentley in 2014 that it would be a crime if he had used state or campaign resources to facilitate the affair.
Bentley denies any illegality took place.
When asked if he had considered stepping down, the Governor flatly said, “No, I have not.”
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