MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Governor Robert Bentley’s senior advisor and mistress has resigned.

In a statement released by the Bentley administration, Mason said she plans to return to life outside of the public sphere.

“I have resigned as Senior Political Advisor to Governor Bentley and will no longer be paid from his campaign fund,” said Mason. “I have also ended my work with the Alabama Council For Excellent Government. My only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly. They are the most important people in my life. Thank you for your prayers for our family.”

Mason’s resignation comes exactly one week after Yellowhammer News first revealed the existence of audio recordings in which Governor Bentley and Mrs. Mason shared intimate — and sometimes explicit — details about their relationship, which ultimately led to Gov. Bentley’s wife of 50 years filing for divorce.

Bentley apologized for making “inappropriate comments” but insisted he did not have a physical relationship with Mrs. Mason, in spite of evidence to the contrary.

Mason’s resignation represents a drastic change inside the Bentley administration, over which many on Goat Hill insist she held absolute sway.

“From 2014 to the present it has come apparent to me that Mrs. Mason wields a level of influence over state government that I have never seen before. “Former Alabama Secretary of Law Enforcement said last week. “The influence she is wielding makes her the de facto governor.”

The de facto governor has resigned. Will the actual governor be next? #alpolitics

— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) March 30, 2016

Questions still remain about the shadowy groups behind which Mason’s sources of income are hidden. Yellowhammer sources have confirmed that both the Alabama Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney’s office have launched criminal investigations into possible wrongdoing stemming from the Bentley-Mason relationship.

Alabama lawmakers are also making preparations to bring forth articles of impeachment against Governor Bentley on the grounds that he is unfit to serve in the office to which he was elected.

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