Alabama governor admits to inappropriate remarks to staffer but not to affair

By KIM CHANDLER
Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is admitting that he made inappropriate remarks to a female staffer two years ago but says he never had a physical relationship with the woman.

Bentley spoke to reporters Wednesday after the state’s former top law enforcement official made a series of accusations. That official, former Law Enforcement Secretary Spencer Collier, had been fired Tuesday. He said during a news conference that he believed the governor had an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer.

Collier says another law enforcement officer played a recorded conversation for him in which Bentley makes sexual remarks to a woman.

The governor divorced last year after Dianne Bentley said their marriage had suffered a breakdown.

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