Stan McDonald, a member of the five-person Alabama Ethics Commission, resigned Wednesday, a week after a public feud with lawmakers over a proposed overhaul of the state’s ethics laws.
During an appearance last week on the Jeff Poor Show, McDonald criticized some Republican lawmakers’ support for the bill. McDonald said he donated to GOP campaigns.
Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, who is sponsoring the ethics bill that passed the House last week, quickly pointed out that it’s against current ethics laws for commission members to participate in partisan political activity.
“Reflecting upon my learning this past week that some of my actions while serving as a member of the Alabama Ethics Commission are very possibly prohibited by law, I have decided to hereby resign from the Alabama Ethics Commission,” McDonald said in a statement Wednesday.
“My breach was unintentional but I know it’s right to own my actions. I’ve learned from learned folks over the years that sometimes when you mess up, that all you can do is make a better decision next time. It’s called doing the next right thing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served and I remain committed to the rule of law and our fine system.”
McDonald was appointed to the Ethics Commission in 2019 and is a former Limestone County probate judge.
Ethics Commission members are appointed to five-year terms by the governor, lieutenant governor or speaker of the house.
The ethics bill is awaiting committee action in the Senate. Simpson has said current law is too confusing in which portions apply to whom and teachers and public employees don’t need to be held to the same laws as elected officials. Critics, including Alabama Attorney General Steven Marshall, said the bill weakens current law, including rules about gifts for public officials.