By Craig Monger
Former Speaker of the House, Mike Hubbard, has asked to address the Lee County Circuit Court in person after the state opposed his request for an early prison release.
Hubbard was convicted on June 11, 2016, of multiple ethics violations, including voting on legislation with a conflict of interest that would benefit a pharmaceutical company with which Hubbard was involved, as well as lobbying the State Dept. to help his clients, and soliciting funds for Craftmaster Printers, a company owned by Hubbard.
Hubbard was turned over to the Dept. of Corrections in September 2020 to begin his 28-month prison sentence.
In September, Hubbard submitted a letter to Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker in which Hubbard gave a lengthy apology and appealed for an early release.
“My conviction has severely damaged and embarrassed me and my family, friends, former constituents, community, church, the legislature and the state of Alabama,” Hubbard said. “For this, I am severely sorry and respectfully ask forgiveness from everyone affected.”
State Prosecutors have since disputed Hubbard’s apology, filing a brief with the court in November.
In the brief, State Prosecutors gave evidence that seemed to contradict Hubbard’s apology. The state’s position is that Hubbard is indeed not remorseful and is attempting to win an early release on false pretenses.
The brief gave evidence of Hubbard allegedly telling a friend, “I promise you I did nothing wrong.” It also alleges that Hubbard held his nose before eventually signing the letter.
Prison phone calls are recorded. An automated recording informs the recipient that the call may be monitored when someone receives a call from an inmate. The content of Hubbard’s phone calls was a large part of the prosecutor’s brief.
According to prosecutors, Hubbard told a friend in a phone call that he believed he did nothing wrong. “I hope the folks there know I didn’t do anything wrong, and this was just a political hit job,” prosecutors claim Hubbard said.
Prosecutors also claimed that, while in prison, Hubbard attempted to contact compatriots and friends to introduce language in specific corrections legislation that could expedite his release. Hubbard also allegedly tried to reach a State Senator to induce a filibuster. The filing did not give any additional information or details as to the identities of those contacted by Hubbard.
On Dec. 14, Hubbard’s lawyer filed a petition to have Hubbard address the judge in open court to address the state’s brief and give further context.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email Craig.Monger@1819News.com.
