May 24, 2013
A former state appeals court judge has asked the attorney general to investigate whether some public employees violated state law by campaigning for Gov. Riley's tax plan.
Former Judge Mark Montiel delivered a letter to Attorney General Bill Pryor that cited campaign-related activities at several public schools and university campuses, as well as at the state government complex in Montgomery.
Among the examples cited by Montiel was the use of the state phone system to play pro-tax plan messages to callers who are placed on hold.
Montiel, now a Montgomery attorney, says the state constitution gives the governor the power to express his views at all times. But he maintains that authority does not extend to public employees who are using public property.
A spokeswoman for the attorney general says Pryor received the complaint but has no comment.
