OPELIKA, Ala. — Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) has been sentenced to prison. Circuit Judge Jacob Walker ruled today that Hubbard will spend four years in prison and pay a $210,000 fine.
Prosecutors recommended an 18 year sentence with 5 served in prison and 13 on probation. The state also requested a restitution of $1.25 million
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) was convicted of 12 of 23 charges by a Lee County Jury in Opelika on June 10. The jury deliberated for seven hours on various charges to decide if Hubbard used his office for personal gain.
The prosecution alleged Hubbard made millions of dollars in various schemes designed to leverage the power of his office to enrich himself, an argument that persuaded the jury.
The charges he was convicted of are as follows:
• Voting on legislation with a conflict of interest that would benefit American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc., a consulting client.
• Receiving money from a principal, American Pharmacy Cooperative Inc., through a consulting contract.
• Receiving money from a principal, Edgenuity, through a consulting contract.
• Using office for personal gain through a consulting contract with Capitol Cups, a business owned by Robert Abrams.
• Lobbying the state Department of Commerce for consulting client Robert Abrams.
• Lobbying the governor’s office for consulting client Robert Abrams.
• Using state personnel to benefit consulting client Robert Abrams.
• Soliciting and receiving money from a principal, former Business Council of Alabama Chairman Will Brooke, a $150,000 investment in Craftmaster Printers.
• Soliciting and receiving money from a principal, James Holbrook/Sterne Agee, a $150,000 investment in Craftmaster Printers.
• Soliciting and receiving money from a principal, Great Southern Wood President Jimmy Rane, a $150,000 investment in Craftmaster Printers.
• Soliciting and receiving money from a principal, Great Southern Wood President Jimmy Rane, a $150,000 investment in Craftmaster Printers.
• Soliciting and receiving a thing of value from a principal, former BCA Chairman Will Brooke, help obtaining clients for Auburn Network and financial advice for Craftmaster Printers.
“This is a good day for the rule of law in our state,” said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange after Hubbard was found guilty. “This kind of result would never have been achieved had our office not put together the finest public corruption unit in the country. I’m very proud of their work. This should send a clear message that in Alabama we hold public officials accountable for their actions.”
With his conviction, Hubbard was immediately removed from office, per state law.
Hubbard has 42 days to appeal.
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