Judge Refuses Trial Delay for Alabama House Speaker

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) — A judge is refusing to delay the ethics trial of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, at least for now.

Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker turned down Hubbard’s request for a postponement after a hearing Tuesday in Opelika.

But the judge noted that the case could still be delayed for other reasons, like an appeal of any of his pretrial decisions.

Hubbard is now set to go on trial on March 28. He had sought a postponement until the fall after his lead attorney left the case earlier this month.

Hubbard is accused on 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using his public positions as speaker and former GOP party chairman to benefit his businesses and clients.

Hubbard maintains the transactions were legal.