Rebekah Caldwell Mason speaks on relationship with Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, alleges gender bias

Alabama Media Group ^ | 3/23/2016 | Leada Gore

[iowamark]

Rebekah Caldwell Mason, the governor's political advisor whose name has been embroiled in controversy following the end of Robert Bentley's 50-year marriage last year, said allegations she exercises undue influence over government operations are incorrect.

In a written statement, Mason said allegations by former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency chief Spencer Collier about her relationship with the governor are an example of "gender bias."

"There is no way that man (Collier) would have said what he did...about another man. He only said what he said about my professional abilities because I am a woman. His comments were clear, demonstrated gender bias," Mason said.

"Since 2010, I have proudly served as Gov. Robert Bentley's Campaign Press Secretary, Communications Director, Advisor, Campaign Communications Director and now Senior Policy Advisor. It is an honor to serve our Governor and the people of our state."

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Bentley, a retired Tuscaloosa dermatologist who is in his second term of office, admitted to making inappropriate comments but denied having a physical affair with Mason. Mason's statement does not address the allegations of an affair or audio tapes cited by Collier that he said demonstrated the two had an improper relationship.

[iowamark]

Earlier thread

[Bodleian_Girl]

Their phone sex tape pretty much puts a damper on her claim that it’s sexism making people doubt her work....

And she’s his closest and “best” senior advisor, according to Bentley.

He needs to fire her and whoever else told him to hold a press conference and deny a sexual relationship with her, when neither of them knew which conversation of theirs had been recorded.

Timing is everything.