The Latest: Riley: Speaker tried to obey ethics law

OPELIKA, Ala. – The Latest on the ethics trial of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard (all times local):

5 p.m.

Former Gov. Bob Riley says he thinks House Speaker Mike Hubbard took precautions to obey the state ethics law.

In cross-examination Monday afternoon by Hubbard’s defence lawyer, the former governor said Hubbard sought guidance from the director of the state ethics commission after he took a job doing economic consulting work.

Riley said he thought Hubbard tried to make sure what he was doing was “absolutely legal.”

Hubbard faces 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using his political positions to make money and seek financial favours, employment and investments from lobbyists and others.

Riley testified that he and others friends of Hubbard’s tried to help him find a way to make a living after Hubbard was laid off by his primary employer in 2011.

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12:12 p.m.

Former Gov. Rob Riley and a state prosecutor exchanged testy remarks as Riley’s testimony continued in House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics trial.

Prosecutor Matt Hart on Monday morning stopped Riley from elaborating at length on his answers. Riley accused Hart of asking questions without context when Hart asked if he had ever warned Hubbard about running afoul of the state ethics law.

The former governor testified that he and Hubbard often talked about Hubbard’s deteriorating financial situation.

Hubbard faces 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using his political positions to make money and seek financial favours, investments and employment from lobbyists and people with business before the Alabama Legislature.

Hubbard says he’s innocent and the transactions were within the bounds of the ethics law and its exemptions for longstanding friendships and normal business dealings.

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10 a.m.

Former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley says the state’s House speaker was sometimes serious and sometimes joking when he asked for a job.

Testimony resumed Monday in House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics trial. Prosecutors asked Riley about emails Hubbard sent him as he looked for a job.

Riley said Hubbard was seriously looking for a job after being laid off from his primary employer. However, Riley said Hubbard’s email lamenting a new state ethics law he just passed was “obviously” a joke.

Hubbard faces 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using his political positions to make money and seek financial favours, investments and employment from lobbyists and people with business before the Alabama Legislature.

Hubbard says he’s innocent and the transactions were within the bounds of the ethics law and its exemptions for longstanding friendships and normal business dealings.

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4:50 a.m.

Former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley will resume his testimony in the ethics trial of the state’s House speaker.

Riley will return to the witness stand Monday morning. Prosecutors began questioning Riley on Friday about emails House Speaker Mike Hubbard sent to him. Hubbard wrote that he wanted to work for Riley’s new lobbying firm.

Riley said the request was something of a running joke between them and weren’t always serious.

Hubbard faces 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using his political positions to make money and seek financial favours, investments and employment from lobbyists and people with business before the Alabama Legislature.

Hubbard says he’s innocent and the transactions were within the bounds of the ethics law and its exemptions for longstanding friendships and normal business dealings.