Lawmaker in Alabama convicted for violation of ethics law

House Speaker in the U.S. state of Alabama, Mike Hubbard, was convicted Friday on 12 charges of violating the state ethics law after a jury spent seven hours deliberating whether he used his public position for personal gain, according to multi TV networks.

Prosecutors said Hubbard, 54, used the political positions as state House speaker and chairman of the Alabama Republican Party to improperly benefit his companies and clients, and try to obtain 2.3 million dollars worth of work, investments and financial favors from lobbyists and company owners, said a NBC News report.

"This is a good day for the rule of law in our state. This kind of result would never have been achieved had our office not put together the finest public corruption unit in the country. ... This should send a clear message that in Alabama we hold public officials accountable for their actions," Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said after the verdict was announced. His office started the investigation more than three years ago.

The conviction came after a 12-day trial in which Hubbard took the stand for three days in his own defense, arguing that the transactions were legal and within the bounds of the state ethics law.

Hubbard was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1998 in his first run for public office, then quickly rose to positions of leadership and was named chairman of the state Republican Party in 2007, a position he held until 2011.

Hubbard now faces up to 20 years in prison for each ethical count. Sentencing is set for July 28. Endi