Alabama’s Primitive Baptist governor has been charged with the theft of $200,000 following an investigation prompted by his use of a state airplane to fly to out-of-state preaching engagements.
Gov. Guy Hunt, a two-term Republican who serves two congregations as part-time pastor, has denied charges that he looted a private fund established to pay for his 1987 inauguration.
“I have never stolen anything in my entire life,” Hunt said in a formal statement following the indictment. “I will fight this indictment and I will win.” Hunt’s troubles began when the Alabama Ethics Commission ruled he may have violated a state ethics law by accepting almost $10,000 in “love offerings” during 17 trips taken aboard his official plane. The law prohibits public officials from using their positions for personal, financial gain.
Alabama Attorney General Jimmy Evans, a Democrat, said his office’s investigation of that case uncovered evidence the governor had “plundered” his inaugural fund. A state grand jury returned the indictment after Evans presented the evidence.
After news media first reported the preaching trips, but before the Ethics Commission issued its ruling, Hunt wrote two checks to the state equaling the amount he received in offerings. However, he denied his accepting the money had violated the law.
Christian response mixed
Across the state, Christian response to the indictment has been mixed.
Some, especially Primitive Baptists, have denounced the charges as politically motivated. On the Sunday following the indictment, Hunt preached at a Primitive Baptist church in Birmingham and was warmly received.
Nevertheless, others in this Bible Belt state have hesitated to rally to the governor’s side, perhaps due to some unusual coincidences ...
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