AlaFile E-Notice

03-CV-2016-901584.00
To: JOHN DAVID SAXON
[email protected]

NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC FILING

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ALABAMA
WENDALL RAY LEWIS V. ROBERT BENTLEY ET AL
03-CV-2016-901584.00
The following complaint was FILED on 11/23/2016 4:10:09 PM

Notice Date:

11/23/2016 4:10:09 PM

TIFFANY B. MCCORD
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ALABAMA
251 S. LAWRENCE STREET
MONTGOMERY, AL, 36104
334-832-1260

DOCUMENT 1

State of Alabama

COVER SHEET
CIRCUIT COURT - CIVIL CASE

Unified Judicial System

Form ARCiv-93

ELECTRONICALLY FILED
11/23/2016 4:09 PM
03-CV-2016-901584.00
Case Number: CIRCUIT COURT OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ALABAMA
03-CV-2016-901584.00
TIFFANY B. MCCORD, CLERK
Date of Filing:
11/23/2016

(Not For Domestic Relations Cases)

Rev.5/99

Judge Code:

GENERAL INFORMATION
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ALABAMA
WENDALL RAY LEWIS v. ROBERT BENTLEY ET AL
First Plaintiff:

Business

Individual

Government

Other

First Defendant:

Business

Individual

Government

Other

NATURE OF SUIT: Select primary cause of action, by checking box (check only one) that best characterizes your action:
TORTS: PERSONAL INJURY

OTHER CIVIL FILINGS (cont'd)

TONG - Negligence: General

MSXX - Birth/Death Certificate Modification/Bond Forfeiture Appeal/

Enforcement of Agency Subpoena/Petition to Preserve

TOMV - Negligence: Motor Vehicle

CVRT - Civil Rights

TOWA - Wantonness

COND - Condemnation/Eminent Domain/Right-of-Way

TOPL - Product Liability/AEMLD

CTMP - Contempt of Court

TOMM - Malpractice-Medical

CONT - Contract/Ejectment/Writ of Seizure

TOLM - Malpractice-Legal

TOCN - Conversion

TOOM - Malpractice-Other
TBFM - Fraud/Bad Faith/Misrepresentation

EQND - Equity Non-Damages Actions/Declaratory Judgment/

Injunction Election Contest/Quiet Title/Sale For Division

TOXX - Other:

CVUD - Eviction Appeal/Unlawful Detainer

WDEA - Wrongful Death

FORJ - Foreign Judgment

TORTS: PERSONAL INJURY

FORF - Fruits of Crime Forfeiture

TOPE - Personal Property

MSHC - Habeas Corpus/Extraordinary Writ/Mandamus/Prohibition

TORE - Real Properly

PFAB - Protection From Abuse

FELA - Railroad/Seaman (FELA)

OTHER CIVIL FILINGS

RPRO - Real Property

ABAN - Abandoned Automobile

WTEG - Will/Trust/Estate/Guardianship/Conservatorship

ACCT - Account & Nonmortgage

COMP - Workers Compensation

APAA - Administrative Agency Appeal

CVXX - Miscellaneous Circuit Civil Case

ADPA - Administrative Procedure Act

ANPS - Adults in Need of Protective Service
ORIGIN:

INITIAL FILING

APPEAL FROM
DISTRICT COURT

REMANDED

TRANSFERRED FROM
OTHER CIRCUIT COURT

HAS JURY TRIAL BEEN DEMANDED?

RELIEF REQUESTED:

YES

NO

OTHER

Note: Checking "Yes" does not constitute a demand for a

jury trial. (See Rules 38 and 39, Ala.R.Civ.P, for procedure)

MONETARY AWARD REQUESTED

NO MONETARY AWARD REQUESTED

ATTORNEY CODE:

SAX001

11/23/2016 4:09:53 PM
Date

MEDIATION REQUESTED:

YES

/s/ JOHN DAVID SAXON

Signature of Attorney/Party filing this form

NO

UNDECIDED

DOCUMENT 2
ELECTRONICALLY FILED
11/23/2016 4:09 PM
03-CV-2016-901584.00
CIRCUIT COURT OF
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ALABAMA
TIFFANY B. MCCORD, CLERK

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ALABAMA
WENDALL RAY LEWIS,

)
)
PLAINTIFF,
)
)
v.
)
)
ROBERT BENTLEY, Governor of
)
Alabama, in his individual and official
)
capacities;
)
REBEKAH MASON, in her individual
)
and official capacities;
)
ALABAMA COUNCIL FOR
)
EXCELLENT GOVERNMENT;
)
RCM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.;
)
BENTLEY FOR GOVERNOR, INC.;
)
and FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS A, )
B and C, those persons, firms,
)
corporations, universities, trade associations,)
think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities
)
who or which paid Rebekah Mason from
)
January 1, 2010 to the present;
)
FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS D,
)
E and F, those persons, firms,
)
corporations, universities, trade associations,)
think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities
)
who or which contributed money directly )
or indirectly to Mason, whether by cash,
)
check, PayPal, or other means, or provided )
other benefits or things of value to
)
Defendant Mason, through RCM, or any of )
Defendant Masons businesses, any of Jon )
Masons businesses, ACEGOV, and/or
)
Bentley for Governor, Inc.;
)
FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS G, H )
1

CASE NUMBER:

DOCUMENT 2

and I, those persons, firms, corporations )

universities, trade associations, think-tanks, )
non-profits, or other entities who or which )
were the employers, masters, or principals )
of or for Defendant Mason from January 1, )
2010 to the present;
)
FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS J, K )
and L, those persons, firms, corporations )
universities, trade associations, think-tanks, )
non-profits, or other entities who or which )
participated in the act of feeding to certain )
Alabama journalists misleading information )
about the overtime worked, earned and/or )
paid to Plaintiff by the State of Alabama; )
and FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS M, )
N and O, those persons, firms,
)
corporations, universities, trade associations,)
think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities
)
who or which undertook actions which lead )
to the loss of one of Plaintiffs duties for
)
the State of Alabama, and/or which lead to )
his constructive discharge and early
)
retirement, and/or which resulted in his
)
employment opportunities evaporating with )
The University of Alabama and/or
)
Alabama Power Company,
)
)
DEFENDANTS.
)
COMPLAINT
COMES NOW Plaintiff, Wendall Ray Lewis, and for his complaint against
Defendants, ROBERT BENTLEY, Governor of Alabama, in his individual and
official capacities; REBEKAH MASON, in her individual and official capacities;
2

DOCUMENT 2

ALABAMA

COUNCIL

FOR

EXCELLENT

GOVERNMENT; RCM

COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; BENTLEY FOR GOVERNOR, INC.; and

FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS A, B and C, those persons, firms,
corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities
who or which paid Rebekah Mason from January 1, 2010 to the present;
FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS D, E and F, those persons, firms,
corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities
who or which contributed money directly to Defendant Mason, whether by cash,
check, PayPal, or other means or provided other benefits or things of value to
Defendant Mason, through RCM, or any of Defendant Masons businesses, any of
Jon Masons businesses, ACEGOV, and/or Bentley for Governor, Inc.; FICTITIOUS
DEFENDANTS G, H and I, those persons, firms, corporations, universities,
trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities who or which were the
employers, masters, or principals of or for Defendant Mason from January 1, 2010 to
the present; FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS J, K and L, those persons, firms,
corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities
who or which participated in the act of feeding to certain Alabama journalists
misleading information about the overtime worked, earned and/or paid to Plaintiff by
the State of Alabama; and FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS M, N and O, those
3

DOCUMENT 2

persons, firms, corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits,

or other entities who or which undertook actions which lead to the loss of one of
Plaintiffs duties for the State of Alabama, and/or which lead to his constructive
discharge and early retirement, and/or which resulted in his employment opportunities
evaporating with The University of Alabama and/or Alabama Power Company, says
as follows:
1.

Plaintiff, Wendall Ray Lewis, is of legal age and is a citizen and resident

of the State of Alabama and Tuscaloosa County. Lewis, until he was forced against
his will to retire early, was a career law enforcement officer and Alabama State
Trooper, in which position, until the facts made the subject matter herein, he was
Chief of the Office of Dignitary Protection and Head of the Governors Security
Detail.
2.

Defendant Robert Bentley is, on information and belief, of legal age and

is a citizen and resident of the State of Alabama. He currently serves as the Governor
of Alabama, and is sued both in his individual and official capacities.
3.

Defendant Rebekah Mason is, on information and belief, of legal age and

is a citizen and resident of the State of Alabama. Her employment and sources of
income at present are unknown but at all times material herein, she served as an agent
or servant of Defendants Bentley, the Alabama Council for Excellent Government,
4

DOCUMENT 2

RCM Communications, Inc., Bentley for Governor, Inc., and/or Fictitious Defendants
A - I. She is married to Jon Mason, who at all times material herein was head of
the Governors Office of Faith-Based Initiatives.
4.

Defendant Alabama Council for Excellent Government (ACEGOV)

is an Alabama 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation established in 2014 by Cooper

Shattuck, Esq., on information and belief at the request of Defendant Bentley,
reportedly to advanced the beliefs and policies espoused by Defendant Bentley.
ACEGOV at all times material herein was doing business in Montgomery County,
Alabama. Its Registered Agent is CT Corporation System with the Registered Office
mailing address of 2 North Jackson Street, Suite 605, Montgomery, Alabama 36104.
5.

Defendant RCM Communications, Inc. (RCM) is an Alabama

corporation incorporated by Defendant Rebekah Mason. Defendant Mason was at all

times material herein the Registered Agent, Incorporator, and/or Director of RCM
with the Registered Office street address of 2702 Saratoga Lane, Tuscaloosa,
Alabama, 36406.
6.

Defendant Bentley for Governor, Inc. is an Alabama corporation. Its

Registered Agent for Service is Algert Agricola and its Registered Office address is
60 Commerce Street, Suite 1400, Montgomery, Alabama 36104.
7.

Fictitious Defendants A, B and C are the persons, firms,

5

DOCUMENT 2

corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities

who or which paid Rebekah Mason from January 1, 2010 to the present.
8.

Fictitious Defendants D, E and F are the persons, firms,

corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities

who or which contributed money directly or indirectly to Defendant Mason, by any
means, including, but not limited to, cash, check, money order, electronic transfer,
PayPal, or provided any other benefits or things of value to Defendant Mason,
through RCM, or any of Defendant Masons businesses, any of the businesses of her
husband, Jon Mason, ACEGOV, and/or Bentley for Governor, Inc., and/or any other
entity whose name or identity is, at present, unknown but whose name will be
substituted upon being discovered.
9.

Fictitious Defendants G, H and I, are the persons, firms,

corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities

who or which were the employers, masters, or principals of or for Defendant Mason
from January 1, 2010 to the present.
10.

Fictitious Defendants J, K and L, are the persons, firms,

corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities

who or which conducted and/or participated in funneling information to the press
regarding overtime worked and/or paid to Plaintiff by the State of Alabama that lead
6

DOCUMENT 2

to the defamatory statement by Defendant Bentley as set out hereinabove.

11.

Fictitious Defendants M, N and O, are the other persons, firms,

corporations, universities, trade associations, think-tanks, non-profits, or other entities

whose or which wrongful conduct caused harm to Plaintiff.
12.

The Fictitious Defendants are not known to Lewis at this time, or if their

identities are known to him at this time, their identities as proper party defendants are
not known to him. Their true and correct names will be substituted by amendments
hereto when the necessary information is ascertained.
STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY
13.

All claims set forth herein made against Defendant Bentley, and Mason

during her employment as a state employee, are made against them in both their
official and individual capacities. Their wrongful acts and omissions were committed
in the performance and line and scope of their employment as employees, officials,
and/or agents of the State of Alabama, and were wilful, malicious, fraudulent, in bad
faith, and/or beyond their authority, hence permitting Plaintiff to come within the
express exceptions to governmental immunity as set forth in Ex parte Paul J.
Cranman, 792 So.2d 392, 405 (Ala. 2000).
14.

At certain times herein, Defendant Mason was not an employee or agent

of the State of Alabama, and therefore is not afforded any immunity for her acts or
7

DOCUMENT 2

omissions during that period or those periods. In addition, her conduct alleged herein
was wilful, malicious, fraudulent, in bad faith, and beyond her authority.
15.

Defendants ACEGOV, RCM and Bentley for Governor are not agents

of the State of Alabama, and therefore cannot cloak themselves in any purported
claim of state immunity.
16.

To the extent any Fictitious Defendant is a state agent or employee, he,

she, or it is being sued in his, her, or its personal and individual capacities and his,
her, or its conduct as alleged herein was wilful, malicious, fraudulent, in bad faith and
beyond his, her, or its authority, per Ex parte Paul J. Cranman, 792 So.2d 392, 405
(Ala. 2000).
STATEMENT OF FACTS
17.

Lewis adopts and realleges each and every allegation and fact contained

in Paragraphs 1-16 of this Complaint as if set out anew herein.

18.

Bentley was elected to the position of Governor of Alabama in 2010 and

was sworn in on January 17, 2011. He was re-elected in 2014.

19.

Ray Lewis started with the Alabama State Troopers on July 31, 1989, as

a Trooper Cadet, in which position he served for eight months. In 1990 he became
a Trooper and served in that position for seventeen years, or until 2007. In 2007 he
became a Corporal, and served in that position for three years, or until 2010. In 2010,
8

DOCUMENT 2

he became a Sergeant, and served in that position for four years, at which time, in
2014, he became a Lieutenant.1 In 2010, he moved to Montgomery as Training
Coordinator for the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI).
20.

On election night in November of 2010, Lewis became Detail Leader for

the Governors Security Detail.2 In February 2014, he became Chief of Dignitary

Protection. In that position, he oversaw the twenty-two State Troopers who were
assigned to provide security protection for the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of
the House, and Attorney General.3
21.

With regard to Lewis duties as Chief of the Governors Security Detail,

the detail consisted of seven to eight Troopers. Lewis was the body person,
meaning that he had a driver (a Trooper), the driver rotated among the seven to eight
members of the detail, and Lewis was designated as the person to protect - - and, if

During the 2010 collegiate football season, Lewis was part of the protection team for
Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban. Observes Lewis, I learned a lot from Coach Saban, about
character, about how you conduct yourself, about business. Ive got a lot of respect for Coach
Saban.
2

While working with the Alabama Football detail, Lewis was in a state car on his way to
Knoxville as part of the security advance for the Alabama-Tennessee game. He got a call from
then-Captain (now Major) Charles Ward, who at the time headed the Dignitary Protection Unit.
He said, If Robert Bentley were to win the election, would you be interested in being his detail
leader? Lewis said yes on the spot.
3

Speaker Pro Tem Del Marsh declined to have a security detail, to which he was entitled.

DOCUMENT 2

necessary, take a bullet for - - the Governor.4

22.

Lewis spent his time between serving as Head of the Governors Security

Detail in the Capitol, and at headquarters, conducting operations and scheduling the
twenty-two State Troopers within the Office of Dignitary Protection.
23.

Governor Robert Bentley had a physical and sexual affair with

Defendant Mason, which the Governor confirmed to Plaintiff. Plaintiff, among

others, including David Byrne, the Governors Legal Advisor; Seth Hammett, the
Governors Chief of Staff; and Bill OConnor, former head of the Business Council
of Alabama (BCA), all went separately to the Governor and pleaded with him that
he needed to end the affair with Mrs. Mason. None of them succeeded.5
24.

As the Governor once told Plaintiff, If they dont stop treating her like

some sort of ... Ill fire em all. In fact, Ill fire anybody who continues to mistreat
Rebekah.6

Per protocol, the Governor had a driver; the Governor would sit in the front passenger
seat; and, as the body man, Lewis would sit in the backseat of the car. Occasionally, Mrs.
Bentley would ride in the vehicle, or anyone with whom the Governor needed to speak or deal
with. There would also be a lead vehicle, and a trail vehicle.
5

In fact, on one occasion, two of the Governors sons, Paul and Matthew, went to
Haleyville to meet with Mrs. Masons parents to plead with them, to no avail, to help get Mrs.
Mason to end the affair. When the Governor found out, he was furious.
6

On a couple of occasions, the Governor told Lewis that he loved Rebekah. One time, on
the front porch of the Governors Tuscaloosa home, he also told Plaintiff, I love Dianne. But I
love Rebekah more.

10

DOCUMENT 2

25.

In what Lewis believes to have been February of 2014, the Governor and

Mrs. Bentley had an argument about Mrs. Mason. The Governor got mad and drove

himself to the beach. Mrs. Bentley informed Lewis about this, and expressed concern
that the Governor might harm himself. Stan Stabler was on call at the time. The
Governor had left in such a rage he forgot his wallet, which was flown by helicopter
to him - - at state expense.
26.

The flight log for that day should reflect who made the call to have

Bentleys wallet flown to him. Lewis learned about the wallet flight after the fact,
from Collier. Lewis would have driven the wallet to the Governor.
27.

When news of the flying wallet broke, Stabler claimed he did not see the

text message from the Governor to Mrs. Mason. That was not a truthful statement;
he did. It was sexual in nature.
28.

May 4, 2014, is when Lewis first learned that Governor Bentley might

be having an affair with Mrs. Mason. The Governor was flying to Talladega for a
race, at which he was the Grand Marshall. Lewis, Paul Bentley (the Governors
oldest son), the Governor, Mason, and the Governors grandchildren were on a State
plane. Paul Bentley leaned over and said to Lewis, I need to talk to you later in the
11

DOCUMENT 2

week. Ray replied, Okay. What about? Mom says she is seeing ghosts. What
do you mean?, asked Lewis. Paul Bentley replied, She thinks Dad is having a
relationship with Rebekah.7
29.

A couple of months before the May 2nd plane conversation with Paul

Bentley, the Governor called Lewis into his office. He said, I need you to talk to the
ladies in the office. Theyre spreading rumors about Rebekah and I having a
relationship. Lewis told the Governor that he would be glad to, because if it is
coming from your office, people are going to believe it. Lewis expressed his
willingness to talk to the employees in the Governors office to try to put an end to
these vicious rumors.
30.

A day or two later, Lewis; Lesley Helton, the Governors Assistant;

Wanda Kelly, the Governors Secretary8; Linda Adams, the Governors Scheduler;
and Julie Lindsey, on loan from Power South, assembled in Lindas office. Plaintiff
told them, the Governor is concerned about you spreading rumors about the

Where quotation marks appear herein, Plaintiff has made his best attempt, consistent
with his memory, certain notes, and certain recordings, to recall exactly what was said.
8

Wanda Kelly was apparently the first person other than the Governor and Mason to
know what was going on. Once, the Governor told Lewis, I think Wanda puts her ear to my
door. The Governor wanted Wandas desk moved because he thought she was listening to him.
Kelly told Lewis that she thought it was inappropriate that the Governor was in there for such
long periods with Mason. Lewis mentioned this to the Governor, who said he wanted Wanda
gone.

12

DOCUMENT 2

Governor and Rebekah. They did not admit making statements to this effect, but
agreed that they should not address the topic.
31.

Members of the Governors security detail went everywhere with him

except in his office. Plaintiff had an office in the Capitol just steps away from that
of the Governor, and when Plaintiff kept his door open, which he did almost all of the
time, the view from his desk was directly toward the Governors office and the front
door to the Governors office.9 He could see anyone coming or going, and could take
note of how long someone had been in the Governors office. There were times when
Plaintiff would observe Rebekah Mason coming out of the Governors office, with
her hair all messed up, and straightening up her skirt as she emerged from the
Governors office, after having been in there for hours.10 Lewis also attended the
Governors staff meetings.
32.

On May 7, 2014, three days after Paul Bentley approached Plaintiff on

the plane to Talladega, Lewis was in the Governors office and could tell that the
Governor had been crying. He asked, Governor, whats wrong? The Governor
replied, Ive got some problems. Lewis asked, Whats wrong? The Governor

The Governors office has an interior elevator, permitting ingress and egress undisclosed
to others.
10

Mason had a special request of state government: she wanted a couch in her office. Stan
Stabler told Plaintiff one day, we lost the Governor over there.

13

DOCUMENT 2

replied, Ive got problems with Dianne. Later that day, one of Plaintiffs security
staffers, Frank Cezarre, informed him, the Governor wants to see you right now.
(Emphasis added.) Lewis hurried to the Capitol where he found the door closed.
(According to Lewis, the Governor would spend hours with Rebekah behind closed
doors.) He opened the Governors door, went in, and the Governor was crying.
Mason was in there, and appeared to have also been crying. Lewis asked, Governor,
what is going on? Bentley replied, Dianne has accused me of having an affair, and
she has a recording. He added that his wife, Dianne, had a recording, but had given
it to his son (Paul). The Governor asked Lewis to go talk to Paul. Lewis inquired,
What do you want me to do? The Governor replied, Find out if he has a
recording. He sent Mason out of the office, and she went up to the Lt. Governors
conference room.
33.

Bentley then replied, Ray, I am embarrassed for you to hear whats on

that recording. Its between Rebekah and I. I am ashamed of what came out of my
mouth. Lewis inquired, Governor, are you telling me that this is true? Yes,
replied the Governor, I am ashamed of what I have done.
34.

Lewis mustered up his courage and said to the Governor, You know

that you are getting into a touchy situation because we use state vehicles, we use state
planes, to move about. Youre requesting to put her in there, thats a problem. This
14

DOCUMENT 2

is bigger than you and Rebekah. This is about the State of Alabama. The Governor
replied, Ray, I know. I need you to go upstairs and break-up with Rebekah for me.
Lewis replied, I will go up and talk to her.
35.

Lewis was in unchartered territory. He went upstairs, and found Mason

in Lt. Governor Kay Iveys conference room. He sat across from her at the
conference table. He put on his most sober face and reached deep for his most serious
tone and said, The Governor sent me up here and he says this has to end. Rebekah,
this would embarrass the Governor, his family and everybody involved. This would
embarrass you and your family. You cant be his girlfriend and have him take you
around in state cars and planes. Mason replied, I know. The meeting lasted an
hour, with both Lewis and Mason crying much of the time. Toward the end of the
meeting, the Governor walked in, started rubbing and massaging Masons shoulders,
stroking her hair, and saying, Baby, its gonna be alright.
36. Lewis hesitated, but finally asked, So were in agreement this is gonna
end today? The Governor replied, Yes, it is ending. Lewis then replied, Okay.
Ill drive to Tuscaloosa and talk to Paul and see what I can find out about this
recording. Lewis then left the conference room with the Governor and Mrs. Mason,
and headed toward Tuscaloosa.
37.

On the way to Tuscaloosa, Lewis called Paul Bentley. He informed him

15

DOCUMENT 2

that he needed to come talk, to which Bentley replied, Come on up. He met
Bentley at his office. He inquired, Paul, is there a recording with your Dad and
Rebekah on it? Paul Bentley replied, Yes, and you aint gettin it. Paul Bentley
added that his mother had made the recording.11 He said, I dont have it but Melissa
does. Melissa was Paul Bentleys wife. Paul Bentley added, I dont want to hear
my Dad talking like that.12
38.

Lewis called the Governor back, and confirmed the existence of the tape.

The Governor was angry, saying in an agitated voice, Well, Ray, whoever recorded
that, its illegal. Later, in the same conversation, the Governor said, Ray, I need
you to drive to Gulf Shores. Rebekah still doesnt get it. Governor Bentley said that
Mrs. Mason and her family were all going to be at the beach for a week, and added,
You need to get down there early, because Jon [her husband] wont be there at the
beginning. Lewis prepared to leave early the next morning.
39.

The next morning, the Governor called Lewis and said, Ray, you dont

11

Lewis was concerned about Mrs. Bentleys health to whom he was very close and
even was concerned that she might take her own life. On one occasion both Mrs. Bentley and
Paul Bentley told Lewis the Governor wanted to fire Lee Sentell, his Director of the Office of
Tourism, and replace him with Jon Mason, Rebekahs husband. Lewis went to the Governor and
told him he couldnt do that.
12

In January of 2016, Lewis went by Paul Bentleys office, at which time Bentley showed
Lewis numerous text messages from his father to Mrs. Mason.

16

DOCUMENT 2

need to go. Rebekah is fine. Lewis replied, Sir, youre making a big mistake,
because Rebekahs not going to let this go. The Governor responded, Oh, shell
be alright.
40.

Later that day, Mrs. Mason sent Plaintiff a text to the effect that he

wouldnt have to worry about her anymore, noting that her office wouldnt be in the
Capitol anymore, and that Bill OConnor13 had some things in the campaign for her
to do.
41.

For Lewis, however, the damage was done. He had seen too much. He

had heard too much. He knew too much. The Governor had confided in him too
much. He had tried too hard to do what the Governor had asked him several years
earlier to do: to tell him when he was doing something wrong. Regarding Rebekah,
the Governor didnt want to hear it. As for Rebekah, it was clear: Ray Lewis needed
to go.
42.

From time to time, Lewis informed the Governor that Mason was

interfering with the performance of his job duties. For example, when Lewis removed
Billy Ervin from the Governors security detail, Paul Bentley informed Lewis that
Mason was livid. The Governor began complaining to Spencer Collier about the

13

Lewis didnt know exactly what OConnor did, but concluded, You always knew he
had the Governors ear.

17

DOCUMENT 2

detail.
43.

All of this was confusing to Lewis, and somewhat ironic. Talking with

the Governor in his office early on in 2011, the Governor had told Lewis, Ray, I
have values. I want to be a person who does right, who is respected. If you ever see
me doing anything wrong, Ray, let me know. Lewis responded, sincerely, I will.
And, as became evident in the Bentley/Mason world, he did. Or, at least he tried.
44.

The Governor at times would scroll through the pictures on his phone,

showing Lewis pictures of Rebekah, saying Rebekah has always loved me. One
day the Governor told Lewis he was no longer to hold Mrs. Bentleys hand in public
because it made him look weak.
45.

Even after Mason left the state payroll, she had access to her Capitol

card, meaning parking access on the Hill. Lewis told Seth Hammett, the Governors
Chief of Staff, that she should not have access to public parking when she was on
campaign staff, but nothing changed. One time, the Governor called Lewis, telling
him that Mason had left her iPad in his office. Lewis retrieved it and took it to her
in Tuscaloosa the next day. She was on the campaign staff at the time.
46.

Mason would come in the office, be around as if nothing had changed,

and work on media events. This came as no surprise. The Governor had informed

18

DOCUMENT 2

Lewis he was going to create a 501(c)(4) to get Rebekah paid.14

47.

Mason would go into the Governors office for hours at a time. As

matters continued, Lewis began getting pressure from both Paul Bentley and Dianne
Bentley to keep the Governor and Mrs. Mason apart when they traveled. In the
course of those conversations, Dianne Bentley personally confirmed to Lewis that she
had recorded the Governors statements about Mrs. Mason.
48.

Apparently, Mrs. Bentley was able to do that because at some point, the

Governors staff had given him an iPad. The Governor didnt take to it, so he gave
it to Mrs. Bentley. The iPad had been synced to the Governors iPhone.15 Either
when his staff gave him the iPad, they neglected to tell the Governor that it was
synced to his phone; or they had informed him that the iPad was synced to his cell
phone, and he forgot that fact; or his staff informed him that the iPad had been synced
to the cell phone, and he had no idea what that meant. As a result, there came a time

14

On one occasion, Dr. Henry Mabry, then the Executive Secretary of the Alabama
Education Association, said he could get Mason paid to the tune of $150,000. Paul Bentley told
Lewis that Cooper Shattuck, the Governors former Legal Advisor, set up the 501(c)(4) for
Mason. On information and belief, that 501(c)(4) was Defendant ACEGOV. Seth Hammett told
Lewis he had a conversation with the Governor in which Hammett informed the Governor that
because of the Governors relationship with Mrs. Mason, Mason could not be on the state
payroll, therefore the need for the 501(c)(4). Bentley confirmed that conversation to Lewis,
saying of Hammett, I want his ass gone.
15

Either Stan Stabler or Mrs. Bentley told Lewis about the iPad and iPhone being synced;
Lewis cannot recall which.

19

DOCUMENT 2

when Mrs. Bentley started getting the Governors steamy cell phone text messages
to Mrs. Mason on the iPad. Mrs. Bentley told Plaintiff about them.16 (After Lewis
retired, earlier than he had ever intended because of the actions of Bentley and
Mason, on January 8, 2016, he went by to see Paul Bentley. Paul Bentley showed
him some of the text messages between his father, the Governor, and Mrs. Mason,
which were sexual in nature.) The recordings which have been made public were
made by Mrs. Bentley.
49.

On August 28, 2014, Mason visited the Mansion while Dianne Bentley

was away and stayed an hour and a half, as confirmed by the guard at the gate, Nathan
Mills. At the Mansion, there is a gate log showing who came and went, and the times
of arrival and departure. Lewis has a picture of that log, and Mrs. Bentley is aware
of it. J. T. Jenkins, Colliers number two guy, came to Lewis and informed him that
Collier wanted him to remove that log. Lewis refused. According to Stan Stabler,
eventually the Governor and Mrs. Mason began meeting at the Blount House, where
they kept no logs. Lewis was not along for the infamous Las Vegas trip, but was
informed that Mason and the Governor had adjoining rooms.
50.

Plaintiffs working relationship with Mason was strained at best. She

16

On one occasion, Lewis told the Governor he should be careful about using state phones
for emails and texts.

20

DOCUMENT 2

knew he wasnt going to do anything to facilitate her relationship with the Governor;
she wanted him gone. Plaintiff was beginning to reach an important conclusion: once
you got in Rebekahs cross hairs, that was it. She ordered the hit, and the Governor
carried it out. At one point, the Governor barked to Lewis, if anybody says another
thing about Rebekah, I will fire their ass.
51.

Campaign events would go through Mrs. Mason. Lewis found it

increasingly more difficult to learn of the Governors campaign schedule.

52.

On July 29, 2014, Bill OConnor asked if he could meet with Plaintiff.

They met that night. OConnor expressed his concern about what was going on
between the Governor and Mrs. Mason. OConnor stated, We created Rebekah, but
it wasnt to sleep with the Governor.17 OConnor saw the Governor the next day,
after which, things began to change for Lewis, and not for the better.
53.

On election day in 2014, Paul Bentley told Plaintiff, Clay [Clay Ryan]

says anytime there are issues with information or things being released, you can
assume it came from security, meaning Ray Lewis.
54.

On August 4, 2014, the Governor leased a plane for his campaign.

Plaintiff had been telling the Governor, You cant put Rebekah on a state plane.

17

OConnor had called Lewis and informed him he knew things were getting out of hand
with the Governor. OConnor went to speak to the Governor. Shortly thereafter, the Governor
told Lewis, Theyve told me that after the election Ive got to let my special friend go.

21

DOCUMENT 2

While on the plane with the Governor, Plaintiff reiterated, Governor, I dont think
its a good idea to have Rebekah on these planes. Governor Bentley replied, Thats
why I lease these planes. They flew from Montgomery to Jasper on a private plane,
because the private plane did not have to keep a manifest. On the ground, Bentley
said, Listen, guys. I want Rebekah on these planes. On the plane, Mason would
sit across from the Governor and discreetly touch his leg. One campaign staffer saw
the Governor touch Masons leg. Zach Lee was concerned that the Governor was
losing it.18
55.

The first time Lewis was on the campaign plane, they were taxiing on the

runway in Montgomery. He, the Governor, and Zach Lee were on board. Mason
called Zach. He told Lewis, Rebekah is going nuts. Lewis asked the Governor
what he wanted to do. The Governor looked pitiful. He said to Lewis, Its your
call. Lewis knew the Governor wanted to go back and get her, so they turned the
plane around, went back, and loaded the Governors precious cargo onboard.

18

One day, during the election campaign, Lewis picked up the Governor to drive him to
Birmingham for a campaign event. The Governor made him swing by Masons home to pick her
up. She was not on State payroll. Lewis objected: Governor, I dont think thats the thing to
do. Bentley replied, Itll be alright, so Lewis picked up Mason and they headed to
Birmingham. Bentley regularly had Lewis put Mason in the state car or on the state helicopter.
According to Lewis, The Governor didnt worry about the manifest on state aircraft. Mason
flew, while Jennifer Ardis, his Director of Communications, drove, as, for example, one
campaign trip to Wilcox County. Mason went on the state helicopter. Ardis drove. During the
reelection campaign, Bentley would always go to a state function, then swing by a campaign
event.

22

DOCUMENT 2

56.

On August 5, 2014, Plaintiff met with his boss, Spencer Collier, in

Colliers office, at which time Plaintiff informed Collier about the Governors affair.
Before the meeting, Plaintiff called Paul Bentley, who said that his Dad did not
believe that the tape existed. Paul Bentley told Plaintiff that he, Plaintiff, needed to
hear at least part of the recording. Melissa Bentley, Paul Bentleys wife, emailed the
tape to Plaintiffs gmail account. In the meeting with his boss, Collier, Plaintiff and
Spencer Collier listened to the tape, in which the Governor talked about touching
Rebekah Masons breasts, his need to be with her, the need to lock the door, kissing
her on the ear, etc. Collier and Lewis decided to go to Greenville with the Governor
(about which trip Collier has spoken publicly) so Plaintiff and Collier drove the
Governor to Greenville, Alabama, that night.19
57.

The Greenville trip was a campaign trip.

Lewis drove, with the

Governor in front and Collier in the back. They both laid it out for him. They told
him if his affair with Rebekah Mason involved planes and cars, anything that was
state property, he could run afoul of the law. Lewis said, Governor, if youre doing
that it would be improper. They both told him, Governor, youve got to end this
relationship. The Governor, crying, replied, Spencer, how did you end yours?

19

The Governor sent Spencer Collier to Linda Adams house to recover the tape (though
she did not have it). Adams was terrified, and went to her attorney.

23

DOCUMENT 2

[Spencer Collier had apparently had an affair; Collier had told Lewis about having
his mistress in a hotel room, while Collier talked on the phone to his wife. Collier
didnt properly end the call, and his wife heard things Collier did not want her to
hear.] Collier replied, Governor, I just cut it off at the nub. I just ended it. Youre
just gonna have to cut it off at the nub. And its gonna bleed, but you will eventually
get over it. The Governor replied, Im gonna end it. The Governor called Collier
the next day, telling him, I cant do it, I love her.20 It was later that week when
Zach Lee had made his comment to Plaintiff, informing him that he didnt know how
he, Lewis, still had a job.
58.

On August 6, 2014, Clay Ryan called Plaintiff and informed him that he

wanted to meet with him. Ryan was considered the fixer. Anytime Mason was
unhappy with Lewis, she would call Ryan, who would call Paul Bentley, and, in
theory, Lewis would get reigned in. Plaintiff met with Ryan. Ryan was concerned
about the tape, and who else had it. Plaintiff informed Ryan that he thought Heather
Hannah, Dianne Bentleys assistant, had a copy. (Paul Bentley or Melissa Bentley,
one or the other, had told Plaintiff this.) Ryan then talked to Hannah. Collier called
Clay Ryan the next day and informed him that he needed to stay away from law

20

The Governors desire to be with Mason at all costs meant that, on at least one occasion,
they met at a lake with no security present.

24

DOCUMENT 2

enforcement.21
59.

On August 8, 2014, Plaintiff picked up the Governor, and he was furious.

Lewis told the Governor, I know youre furious with me. But you are putting
everybody at risk over your relationship with Rebekah. The Governor screamed at
him, Ray, you and Paul (Bentley) cant fix this. Lewis told the Governor he was
concerned about his job, because Zach Lee had made a comment to Lewis, I dont
know how you still have a job. Lewis then stated, If you will let me make it to the
election, I will retire and be out of your hair.
60.

The relationship between the Plaintiff and Governor Bentley was

deteriorating very quickly. After the comment about letting him make it to the
election, and then he would retire, Governor Bentley seemed pleased.22
61.

Regarding Bentleys relationship with Mrs. Mason, Lewis told the

Governor, That relationship is going to be found out eventually. Governor Bentley

replied, Well, if anybody comes to you, just tell them the truth. And thats what I
plan to do, too.

21

On one occasion, the Governor told Lewis that he had grown tired of Ryan, Bill
OConnor and Mike Echols, a Tuscaloosa lobbyist, saying, theyre trying to do some things that
are illegal, and I want no part of it. Lewis did not know to what the Governor was referring, nor
if the Governors accusation had any truth to it.
22

The Governor had gotten to the point where his ego took over and he enjoyed
intimidating people, saying to them, Im the Commander in Chief.

25

DOCUMENT 2

62.

During that conversation, Lewis and the Governor were sitting in Lewis

truck, at the airport about to get on a plane. Lewis asked the Governor, Governor,
theres a lot of talk going on. Was it a physical relationship? After initially
hemming and hawing, the Governor replied, reluctantly but clearly, Yeah, it was
physical.
63.

Lewis had noticed that the Governor always had two cell phones: his

state cell phone and his personal cell phone. Then one day, he noticed a third
phone.23 Stan Stabler informed Lewis at one point that the Governor had separate
email accounts. Eventually, Lewis noticed that the Governor started calling him from
an unknown number - - a bit disconcerting for the head of your security detail.
64.

During this time, Plaintiff was feeling a lot of pressure regarding his job,

describing it as Im wound tight about all of this.

65.

A few weeks later, on or about June 18, 2014, due to all of the pressure

on him, Plaintiff thought he was having a heart attack. He went to Jackson Memorial
Hospital, checked into the Emergency Room, and had an EKG. Apparently it was
just an anxiety attack. They told him to go to his regular physician. He went to the
office of his personal physician, Dr. Mark Ricketts, shortly thereafter, and after an

23

Mrs. Bentley told Lewis that the Governor bought a truck with Bluetooth, so he could
go outside, sit in the truck, and talk on the phone unheard and undetected.

26

DOCUMENT 2

examination, his personal physician told him, Ray, you look like shit. Lewis
informed him as to why. A number of tests were done and Lewis was checked out.
66.

Lewis was concerned about his health. He was not sleeping, and he was

torn up inside over the fact that the Governor, who he viewed as a father-figure, was
turning his back on his wife, Dianne, with whom Lewis had a great relationship, and
his kids, whom Lewis also knew and cared for, and the Governor didnt seem to
care.24
67.

About this time, Jennifer Ardis, Press Secretary to the Governor, called

Plaintiff. She said, Ray, I want to give you a heads up. A reporter in Huntsville
wants to do a story on your overtime. Collier and his press secretary did an
extensive review of Plaintiffs overtime, duties, and gave it to Ardis.25
68.

Governor Bentley had admitted on a telephone call which Plaintiff put

on speaker phone and recorded, that a lot of people on security details got a lot of
overtime. Lewis informed Ardis that Governor Bentley had said lots of people on lots
of security details were paid overtime and that she, Ardis, should emphasize that to
the press. Soon thereafter, on September 7, 2014, an al.com story by John Archibald
24

About this time, Lewis said to Bentley, Governor, if you love Rebekah, why dont you
just divorce Mrs. Bentley and marry Rebekah? The Governor replied, referring to Dianne, Ill
always take care of her.
25

At one point, when Lewis comp time was piling up, he went to the Governor to talk to
him about it. Bentley informed Lewis, I want you with me all the time.

27

DOCUMENT 2

appeared regarding extensive overtime by Lewis.

69.

On September 7, 2014, John Archibald wrote the following on al.com:

The head of Governor Robert Bentleys security detail made $16,918.00 in August,
thanks to overtime he earned following the Governor across the globe. (Emphasis
in original.) He added, At that rate, Wendall Ray Lewis would pull in $203,000.00
a year, or about $112,000.00 more than his annual salary as a State Trooper. It pushes
his actual pay so far this fiscal year to $153,000.00 with a month still to go. Its
almost fifty grand more than the colonel who runs the Department of Public Safety
made in the same time period.
70.

After Archibald began inquiring of the State about Lewis overtime, as

Archibald reported on September 7, 2014, Spencer Collier, the head of the Alabama
Law Enforcement Agency, also ended overtime for all members of the protection
detail after the Lewis papers were made public (Lewis made $580,000.00 in the
last four years.) (Emphasis in original.)
71.

Archibald ended his column by noting that Lewis seemed to receive

special treatment while standing guard over Gov. Bentley, ...

72.

Chuck Dean, a long-time and much respected political and governmental

reporter for the Birmingham News, questioned Governor Bentley about the Lewis
overtime. On September 15, 2014, in a piece published by al.com, Dean wrote, Last
28

DOCUMENT 2

week in an interview in Decatur Bentley categorically said he had nothing to do with

approving overtime for Lewis or for his later promotion. He added, Nor did he
authorize anyone on his staff to act to clear overtime for Lewis. According to Dean,
Bentley stated, I have never had anything to do with promotions. I have never had
anything to do with overtime. I have never had anything to do with anyones salary.
Honestly, I dont have time to deal with things like that, said Bentley. I didnt
know who was making overtime and who wasnt making overtime. I really didnt.
73.

After Archibalds attack on Lewis for his overtime, Bill Britt in the

Alabama Political Reporter wrote a story entitled Trooper Overtime for Governor
Bentley Consistent with Other Governors. In the article, Britt noted the following:
However, a comparison of the past three administrations,
dating back to 1999, show [sic] that overtime pay for Gov.
Bentleys protective service detail is consistent with those
for Gov. Don Siegelman and Gov. Bob Riley.
...
Under Alabama State law, the Department of Public Safety,
now known as ALEA, is required to provide 24 hour-aday/7day-a-week protection for designated public officials.
These include: the Governor; Lt. Governor; President Pro
Tem of the Senate; Speaker of the House of
Representatives; and the Attorney General....
A search of around 1800 documents provided by ALEA,
after receipt of a FOIA request by this publication found
that standards of protection provided by the Protective
Services Unit, as well as overtime pay, have been
uniformly applied over the last three administrations.
29

DOCUMENT 2

A comparison of overtime pay, per diem for Wendall Ray

Lewis... Bentley Administration, Ronald P. Hayden... Riley
Administration, and Danny M. Hester... Siegleman [sic]
Administration show that each man received approximately
the same pay.
...
State statute under Section 36-21-4 states, Overtime - Compensation general. Each state law enforcement officer
in the service of the State who is assigned to duty for more
than 40 hours during the calendar week shall be paid time
and one-half for such excess hours worked or he shall be
given time and one-half compensatory leave as herein
provided, ...
...
... compensatory time... may be paid for overtime worked.
The decision of whether to accept overtime pay or
compensatory time shall be at the sole option of the
officer....
In August, 2014, ALEA Secretary Spencer Collier issued
a directive to the Dignitary Protection Unit, that no one
would accrue any non-contractual overtime while assigned
to a protective detail....
74.

On August 11, 2016, State Representative Allen Farley released a

recorded conversation he had with Governor Bentley in 2015 after the Governors
divorce. Farley taped the phone call. Bentley brought up the topic of overtime pay,
among other things, and the first portion of the recorded conversation dealt with Ray
Lewis. On the recording, according to John Archibald in his al.com story of August
12, 2016, Bentley tells Farley he investigated the overtime pay after the stories broke
on AL.com, and found that heads of security, such as Lewis, were paid overtime
30

DOCUMENT 2

while many others were compensated in comp time. Bentley said the policy was then
changed to pay all in comp time. It wasnt Rays fault, the Governor said on the
recording. He was just paid like other past security chiefs had [been]. He added,
security people have a lot of overtime. Lewis told Archibald on August 12, 2016,
and as appeared in the on-line column of that date, Now the people of Alabama
know I earned every penny of the overtime hours I was paid while working the
governors detail, he said.
75.

As Archibald wrote, Bentley in 2014 said he had nothing to do with

paying Lewis or any of the employees in the office. [Emphasis in original.] I do [sic]
not have anything to do with that, Bentley said. I do not have anything to do with
overtime. I know they work hard when we go to Europe, go to different parts of the
world or just around here. They work hard because I work hard and they have to
guard me because we have people that threaten me. I had nothing to do with their
pay. I had nothing to do with their promotion. Archibald added, in his August 12,
2016 story, On Thursday, however, Lewis said the governor personally approved
payment of my overtime hours.
76.

According to Lewis, When the Governor said he didnt know anything

about my overtime, hes the one that approved it. If the Governor said he did not
approve Lewis overtime, which he has done, he was not being truthful and, in fact,
31

DOCUMENT 2

defamed Plaintiff. Sometime in 2011 or early 2012, Governor Bentley had said, I
want Ray with me all the time. Bentley said that to Angie Smith, his political
advisor and assistant to Chuck Malone, the Governors Chief of Staff at the time;
Zach Lee, the Governors assistant; and Malone, in the Governors Office. And
Lewis was, day and night.
77.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety Dignitary

Protection Unit Policy & Procedure Manual, under the duties of a detail member, he
or she may be called upon 24 hours a day and be required to travel frequently. It
may be necessary for personnel to be away from home for extended periods of time;
...
78.

On August 14, 2014, former House Speaker and Chief of Staff to the

Governor Seth Hammett called Lewis and said, The shit is about to hit the fan about
your overtime. Hammett added, Youre gonna have to choose between being Chief
of the Dignitary Protection or the Governors detail. Lewis replied, Seth, I dont
have a damn thing to do with that. This was the first time Lewis had ever dealt with
Seth Hammett. He told Hammett, I havent done anything wrong. Hammett replied,
I know. When Lewis was no longer the detail leader, in his words, I became
irrelevant.
79.

The same day, Lewis went to Bentley campaign headquarters to talk to

32

DOCUMENT 2

the Governor. The Governor knew about the ultimatum Hammett had given Lewis.
The Governor teared up and told him, You havent done anything wrong. When
their conversation was over, Bentley hugged Lewis. Lewis knew that was it, the
beginning of the end. He thought to himself, I dont know how Jesus felt when
Judas betrayed him, but I felt I was being betrayed. The only difference: Judas
never hugged Jesus.
80.

During Lewis meeting with the Governor on August 14, 2014, Zach Lee

sent him a text message at 11:14 a.m., which said, Rebekah is listening in on yalls
conversation. Lee later informed Plaintiff that Mrs. Mason had her ear against the
door to the room in which Lewis and the Governor were meeting.
81.

Shortly thereafter, Bill Britt and the Alabama Political Reporter did a

story which pointed out that the payment of overtime to the body men for three
governors in the last three administrations was essentially the same, which ended the
Ray Lewis overtime story.
82.

On August 14, 2014, Collier informed Lewis, The Governor says he

wants Billy (Ervin) to be the Detail Leader. Billy Ervin was a member of the
Governors Security Detail, of which Ray Lewis was the head. Lewis thought to
himself, Rebekah had enough clout to get me out. Later that day, Billy Ervin, who
took over from Plaintiff as head of the Security Detail, put Darren Blake, one of the
33

DOCUMENT 2

men on the detail, and who was the Governors body person, out of the truck in
order to put Mrs. Mason and a TV crew in the truck. Mason, who was not a state
employee, ordered Ervin to do this. Ervin later told Plaintiff, Chief, I want to make
one thing clear. Im not going to jail for nobody.
83.

On August 14, 2014, Spencer Collier informed Lewis that the Governor

had Collier moving money around to pay for an assistant to Chief of Staff Seth
Hammett, Jon Barganier, to the tune of $111,000.00; the assistant in the Medicaid
Program, Stephanie Azar, to the tune of $150,000.00; and David Byrne, the
Governors Legal Advisor, to the tune of $170,000.00. Collier moved this money
around to cover those salaries so that the Governor could hide their salaries and,
therefore, in the campaign, look fiscally responsible. According to Collier, those
monies were federal funds and came from the Department of Homeland Security.
Collier was concerned about it, and had some local police departments concerned that
they were not getting federal funds.
84.

August 14, 2014, was the end of Lewis time on the Governors Security

Detail.
85.

On August 14, 2014, per the Governors directive, all overtime was cut

for security details.

86.

At that point, Lewis was getting very nervous. July 2014 meant Lewis
34

DOCUMENT 2

had spent twenty-five years with State Government. He had intended to stay around
another five years, if not more. Instead, with the handwriting on the wall, he stayed
on as Chief of the Dignitary Protection Unit for the remainder of the year, and then
retired on March 31, 2015, a good four or five years sooner than he had intended to
retire.
87.

On December 1, 2014, Lewis complained again to Seth Hammett and

Stan Stabler about the need for Governor Bentley to break off his affair with Mrs.
Mason.
88.

There is a log kept at the Governors Mansion which reflects those who

come and go for meetings at the Mansion. While Dianne Bentley was out of town,
Rebekah Mason would go to the Mansion. On January 27, 2015, for example, J. T.
Jenkins, a member of the Governors Security Detail, texted Lewis, asking him if it
was still necessary to keep the visitor log at the Mansion, because Mason had been
at the Mansion that day while Dianne Bentley was out of town.
89.

When Plaintiff informed the Governor that his, the Governors, emails

to Rebekah Mason could be retrieved, Bentley ceased emailing Mrs. Mason.

90.

During this time, on a helicopter with the Governor and Mrs. Mason,

Lewis overheard Mason say to Governor Bentley, Now, Governor, dont you let
anybody get in your head but me.
35

DOCUMENT 2

91.

According to Lewis, during calendar year 2014 and until he retired early

in 2015, his contention was, whatever people may say, Rebekah Mason was the
Governor of Alabama. People could talk to the Governor, but whatever Rebekah said
went. Lewis added, You could tell Rebekah was power-hungry.
92.

Lewis was severely disappointed in the failure of Governor Bentley to

publicly confirm that he had approved every penny of Lewis overtime. He says, I
was willing to lay down my life for this man. He was like a father to me. All he had
to do was say, I approved his overtime. He didnt. He lied. Lewis added, I dont
know this person the Governor has become.
93.

On information and belief, Governor Bentley wrote a drug prescription

for Mrs. Mason. Lewis saw a text message in which the Governor inquired whether
Mrs. Mason had gotten the medication he prescribed for her.
94.

On at least one occasion, Governor Bentley ordered generic Viagra in

Dianne Bentleys name, and had it shipped to the Mansion. She intercepted it and
informed Lewis of this fact.
95.

On February 2, 2015, Lewis again complained to Seth Hammett, the

Governors Chief of Staff, about the Governors affair and the need for him to break
it off.
96.

As Lewis has noted, You dont get very many opportunities in life to
36

DOCUMENT 2

stand up for whats right.

97.

As Lewis contends, I do believe I was wronged, and my family was

wronged. When I was working for the Governor, I was a miserable human being,
but I was making good money.
98.

A few months after Lewis retired earlier than he had ever intended to,

he was contacted about a senior security position with The University of Alabama.
He met with Cooper Shattuck, formerly Governor Bentleys Legal Advisor and now
General Counsel to the University System. Shattuck spoke to Lewis about helping
with University security, perhaps having a role with Coach Saban, whom Shattuck
described as the Universitys greatest asset. Eventually, Shattuck turned the
conversation to the Governor. He asked Lewis his thoughts. Lewis told Shattuck,
honestly and soberly, that he thought eventually the Governor would be held
accountable, and that he should be. Shattuck replied, Well, I plan to be a friend to
him when he falls. Lewis never heard back from Shattuck about the University
security job. When Lewis eventually himself got back in touch with Shattuck, he told
Lewis to reach out to Ronnie Robertson. Lewis followed up with Robertson, who had
nothing to do with anything Lewis and Shattuck had talked about. Needless to say,
no job offer was forthcoming.
99.

Lewis also heard about this same time from Clay Ryan, a Birmingham
37

DOCUMENT 2

attorney, who asked Lewis if he would be interested in the job of head of security for
Alabama Power. Lewis responded in the affirmative. By text message on July 24,
2015, Ryan informed Lewis that the pay will be what it takes [one can assume, to
get Lewis there] and You would be crosswhites [sic] guy meaning Mark
Crosswhite, the President and CEO of Alabama Power. Lewis replied, that same day,
Thanks Clay. This is a great opportunity! But it never materialized. Ryan asked
Lewis to send him a resume, which he did. But then Ryan asked Lewis how he
intended to respond if and when the questions started flowing about the Governor.
Another honest answer from Lewis. Another no call back.
100. Ray Lewis has a security business, WRL Security Services, LLC, a
professional services firm specializing in safety, security, and regulatory compliance
for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, among others. But, thanks to Defendants
herein, it has little to no business.
COUNT I
INVASION OF PRIVACY
(ALL DEFENDANTS)
101. Lewis adopts and realleges each and every allegation and fact contained
in Paragraphs 1-100 of this Complaint as if set out anew herein.
102. Beginning on or about September 7, 2014, and continuing thereafter,
Bentley, Mason, and all Defendants invaded Lewis privacy by putting him in a false
38

DOCUMENT 2

light and position in the eyes of the public by stating that Lewis worked overtime
which was not approved by the State of Alabama. Such statements implied to the
public that Lewis took advantage of his position to earn excessive amounts of income
that were not approved by his supervisor or anyone in State government and that he
essentially stole money from the State to which he was not entitled.
103. These statements were highly offensive and Defendants knew they were
false and knew, or could reasonably foresee, the false light in which Lewis would be
placed.
104. These statements were made and published with malice and with
knowledge and intent to hurt and discredit Lewis.
105. As a result thereof, Lewis was damaged as set forth hereinabove.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Lewis demands judgment
against Defendants, to include Fictitious Defendants, which is fair and reasonable, to
include compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest and costs of these
proceedings.
COUNT II
DEFAMATION
(ALL DEFENDANTS)
106. Lewis adopts and realleges each and every allegation and fact contained
in Paragraphs 1-105 of this Complaint as if set out anew herein.
39

DOCUMENT 2

107. Defendants falsely and maliciously published to the media and to the
public that Lewis was paid overtime for hours which either he did not work or which
were not authorized by anyone in a position of authority in State government, which,
ultimately, would be Defendant Bentley.
108. These statements were made and published with malice and with
knowledge of their falsity. Defendant Bentley, expressly, denied to a respected
reporter for the States largest circulation newspaper, that he approved Lewis
overtime and, in fact, denied any knowledge of who received overtime. Those
statements were untrue, and Bentley knew at the time he made them they were untrue.
They were designed to, and did, cast Lewis in a false light and position in the eyes of
the pubic, and reflect adversely on a dedicated and selfless public servant.
109. As a result thereof, Lewis was injured and damaged as set forth
hereinabove.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Lewis demands judgment
against Defendants, to include Fictitious Defendants, which is fair and reasonable;
1)

to include compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest and costs

of these proceedings;
2)

as to Defendant, Bentley, he demands a retraction, e.g., a statement from

the Governor, that he, Governor Robert Bentley, lied to the people of Alabama when
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he stated he neither approved Lewis overtime, nor did he have any knowledge of it;
and an apology, that Governor Bentley genuinely regrets disparaging Plaintiff by
suggesting that he, Lewis, worked overtime for his own financial gain without
approval by anyone in a position of higher authority; and
3)

Plaintiff demands that this Honorable Court enter an injunction to enjoin

all Defendants from disparaging Plaintiff in the future.

COUNT III
INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH
BUSINESS OR CONTRACTUAL RELATIONS
(MASON; ALABAMA COUNCIL FOR EXCELLENT GOVERNMENT;
RCM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; BENTLEY FOR GOVERNOR, INC.;
and FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS A - O)
110. Lewis adopts and realleges each and every allegation and fact contained
in Paragraphs 1-109 of this Complaint as if set out anew herein.
111. At all times material herein, Lewis had a business relationship with, and
a property interest in, his job with the State. Mason and said Defendants had
knowledge of said business relationship.
112. Said Defendants intentionally interfered with Lewis business
relationship with the State by transmitting through Mason, or causing others (on
information and belief, Jennifer Ardis) to transmit, information regarding the lawful
and approved overtime worked by Plaintiff to members of the media with the

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intention, and result, that stories would be written reflecting adversely on Plaintiff
that he had been compensated significantly beyond any compensation earned, and/or
that the overtime worked was not approved.
113. There was no justification for Masons interference, nor, as a non-state
employee at that time, did Mason or any of the other said Defendants, have authority
or legal status to permit them to terminate Plaintiff, to have him removed from any
position or duty of his employment, to demote him, or have his overtime reduced or
eliminated.
114. Bentleys decision to falsely claim to the public that Lewis did not have
approval for his overtime was based, in part, on information and belief, on the
interference of Mason and other said Defendants.
115. Said Defendants interference was based on improper, personal and
ulterior motives because Lewis knew of the physical and sexual affair between
Bentley and Mason; Lewis had been asked by the Governor to personally go to, and
did go to, Mason in an effort to terminate the affair; and Mason knew that Lewis was
close to Mrs. Bentley and the Bentleys children, and that Lewis disapproved of the
affair and would continue to follow the Governors wishes to attempt to end the
affair.
116. At the time of said Defendants interference with Lewis job, Mason was
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acting on her own behalf, not as an employee of the State of Alabama, but on behalf
of herself and/or Defendants ACEGOV, RCM, Bentley for Governor, Inc., and/or
Fictitious Defendants A - O.
117. Said Defendants interference continued into the fall and winter of 2014,
as Plaintiff became more and more limited in his duties, was ostracized, marginalized,
and excluded from meetings and discussions in which he had previously participated,
all of which led Plaintiff to his ultimate conclusion to retire much earlier than he had
intended, for which reason Plaintiff believes he was constructively discharged.
118. As a result thereof, Lewis was injured and damaged as set forth
hereinabove.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Lewis demands judgment
against Mason and other said Defendants in an amount that is fair and just, to include
compensatory and punitive damages, to be determined by a jury of his peers, plus
interest and costs of these proceedings.
COUNT IV
CONSTRUCTIVE DISCHARGE
(ALL DEFENDANTS)
119. Lewis adopts and realleges each and every allegation and fact contained
in Paragraphs 1-118 of this Complaint as if set out anew herein.
120. Plaintiff Lewis was a career law enforcement officer who was dedicated
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to his job as a State Trooper, and who committed himself to fulfillment of the mission
of State Troopers. The allegations that he had worked massive amounts of overtime
without the approval of the Governor or anyone in State government significantly
sullied Lewis good name; made him to appear to the public to be greedy, if not
corrupt; and created great dissension in the ranks among all State Troopers who were
not privileged to receive such overtime pay.
121. After the stories appeared in Alabama media about Lewis allegedly
unauthorized overtime, especially after the Governors false but pointed denials that
he had approved it, Lewis began to receive criticism and the opprobrium of the public
and his peers.
122. In addition, having been stripped of his position as Head of the
Governors Security Detail, and relegated to the task of assigning Troopers to security
details for the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Speaker of the House,
Lewis knew that his days were numbered.
123. Having seen, over the fall of 2014 and early 2015, his subordinates who
he once supervised take over his tasks of providing protection for the Governor,
having been frozen out of meetings, discussions, and stripped of responsibilities for
protecting the Governor, over time the criticism, exclusion, and opprobrium became
insufferable, resulting in Plaintiffs early retirement on March 31, 2015.
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124. As a result thereof, Lewis was injured and damaged as set forth
hereinabove.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Lewis demands judgment
against Bentley, Mason, and all other Defendants, in an amount that is fair and just,
to include compensatory and punitive damages, to be determined by a jury of his
peers, plus interest and costs of these proceedings.
COUNT V
NEGLIGENT, WANTON, RECKLESS
AND/OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT
(FICTITIOUS DEFENDANTS J - O)
125. Lewis adopts and realleges each and every allegation and fact contained
in Paragraphs 1-124 of this Complaint as if set out anew herein.
126. Fictitious Defendants J - O negligently, wantonly, recklessly,
maliciously and/or intentionally engaged in conduct which aided, abetted, facilitated,
and encouraged Defendants Bentley, Mason, and other named Defendants, in
defaming Plaintiff, tortiously interfering with his business and contractual
relationships, casting him in a false light, and constructively discharging him.
127. As a result thereof, Lewis was injured and damaged as set forth
hereinabove.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Lewis demands judgment

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against Fictitious Defendants J - O in an amount that is fair and just, to include

compensatory and punitive damages, to be determined by a jury of his peers, plus
interest and costs of these proceedings.

COUNT VI
INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH
BUSINESS OR CONTRACTUAL RELATIONS
(ALL DEFENDANTS)
128. Lewis adopts and realleges each and every allegation and fact contained
in Paragraphs 1-127 of this Complaint as if set out anew herein.
129. At all times material herein, after retiring from state government, Lewis
had an interest in securing employment which would permit him, as a single father
of three sons, to provide for his family.
130. Lewis was sought out by two respected and powerful employers, The
University of Alabama (The University) and Alabama Power Company (APCO)
for senior security positions.
131. On information and belief, one or more Defendants intentionally
interfered with Lewis business relationships with The University and APCO.
132. The prospect of employment with both entities was attractive, lucrative,
and ones which Plaintiff would have seriously considered. Instead, however, when

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questions were put to Plaintiff about his possible prospective testimony about the
Governor, and Plaintiff made clear that he would tell the truth, said job prospects
immediately disappeared.
133. As a result thereof, Plaintiff was injured and damaged as set forth
hereinabove. Plaintiff cannot find employment, and is financially damaged as a result
thereof.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Lewis demands judgment
against Bentley, Mason, and all other Defendants, in an amount that is fair and just,
to include compensatory and punitive damages, to be determined by a jury of his
peers, plus interest and costs of these proceedings.
PLAINTIFF DEMANDS TRIAL BY A STRUCK JURY
ON ALL CLAIMS SO TRIABLE.
Respectfully submitted,

/s/ John D. Saxon

John D. Saxon
Alabama Bar No. ASB-3258-071J
Donna Smith Cude
Alabama Bar No. ASB-7680-W18A
Sandra K. Remington
Alabama Bar No. ASB-1821-B21P
Attorneys for Plaintiff
OF COUNSEL:

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JOHN D. SAXON, P.C.

2119 3rd Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
Tel: (205) 324-0223
Fax: (205) 323-1853
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Plaintiffs address:
Wendall Ray Lewis
c/o JOHN D. SAXON, P.C.
2119 3rd Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203

PLEASE SERVE DEFENDANTS BY CERTIFIED MAIL AS FOLLOWS:

Robert Bentley
Governor of Alabama
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36130
Rebekah Mason
2702 Saratoga Lane
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Alabama Council for Excellent Government
c/o C. T. Corporation Systems
2 North Jackson Street, Suite 605
Montgomery, AL 36104
RCM Communications, Inc.
c/o Rebekah Mason
2702 Saratoga Lane
Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
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Bentley for Governor, Inc.

c/o Algert Agricola
60 Commerce Street, Suite 1400
Montgomery, AL 36104

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