Alabama AG Clears Former Law Enforcement Secretary

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama attorney general’s office says a grand jury has cleared former Law Enforcement Secretary Spencer Collier of wrongdoing.

The attorney general’s office on Thursday announced a grand jury found no criminal wrongdoing by Collier and is closing the investigation requested by Gov. Robert Bentley’s administration.

Bentley fired Collier in March saying a review found possible misuse of funds. The findings were sent to the attorney general’s office.

The attorney general’s office said grand jurors found no misuse of money or a basis for initiating the investigation.

An internal Alabama Law Enforcement Agency report quoted employees raising questions about Collier’s attendance and spending. Collier’s attorney Kenny Mendelsohn called the report a retaliatory “sham” because Collier exposed Bentley’s relationship with a staffer.

Bentley admitted making inappropriate remarks, but denied an affair.