Gov. Robert Bentley faces up to 20 years in prison on each count if he's found guilty of violating four of the state's ethics and campaign finance laws, according to the Alabama Ethics Commission.

Yesterday, the commission said it found probable cause the two-term Republic governor violated state ethics and campaign finance laws. The matter was referred to the Montgomery District Attorney's Office, which will decide if it will proceed in prosecution against the governor.

Here's what we know and what's next for Gov. Bentley

Background

Gov. Robert Bentley, a retired dermatologist from Tuscaloosa, was first elected governor in 2010 and then re-elected in 2014. His administrations had been almost scandal free until the summer of 2015, when Dianne Bentley, the governor's wife of 50 years, filed for divorce. The filing led to claims that Bentley was having an affair with Rebekah Caldwell Mason, his long-time adviser. The governor adamantly denied the charges.

It was later revealed Mason was paid through a 501(c)(4) established to promote Bentley's agenda.

Affair allegations made public

The case broke open in March 2016 when former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency chief Spencer Collier, who had been dismissed by Bentley, filed suit and claimed he was being punished because he spoke out against Bentley's relationship with Mason. A day later, an audio tape was released revealing the governor having a conversation with Mason in which he discussed kissing her and touching her breasts. The governor apologized for making "inappropriate comments" but said the two did not have an affair. Mason resigned from her position.

Ethics complaints

A flurry of ethics complaints followed, including one from former gubernatorial candidate Stacy George and another by State Auditor Jim Zeigler. The Ethics Department began its investigation while, at the same time, the Attorney General's Office indicated it was looking into the matter. The House began organizing impeachment proceedings against the governor.

At the center of the initial charges were allegations the governor used state resources to facilitate or cover up an affair with Mason.

What happened yesterday?

On Wednesday, the Ethics Commission heard more than eight hours of testimony about Bentley. The hearings, which included testimony from George and Zeigler, took place behind closed door.

In the course of its investigation, the commission interviewed more than 45 witnesses and analyzed more than 3,000 documents. The commission said it issued more subpoenas during the course of this investigation than have been issued since the group was first given subpoena power.

The commission later voted, finding probable cause the governor violated ethics and campaign finance laws.

Specifically, the commission found:

"Based on the evidence presented to this Commission there exists cause to hold that Hon. Robert Bentley, Governor, State of of Alabama, has violated the Alabama Ethics Law, but using public resources including but not limited to subordinate personnel, equipment and time, all under his discretion or control his further personal interests..."

"Based on evidence as presented to this Commission, there exists cause to hold that Hon. Robert Bentley, Governor, State of Alabama, has violated the Alabama Fair Campaign Practices Act by:

Improperly receiving a campaign contribution as defined by law, outside the allowed 120 days window in which contributions may be received;

Used campaign funds improperly by paying legal expenses not incurred by the public official, candidate or principal campaign committee;

Improperly making a loan to his campaign account outside the allowable 120 day window which at the time of the loan he was not a candidate as defined by law.

How they voted

The commission approved the findings on a series of 3-1 and 4-0 votes. Commissioner Butch Ellis, whose wife is distantly related to Bentley, abstained from voting. You can see more details on the voting here.

What it all means

The first allegation - violation of the Ethics Law - goes back to charges he used state resources to facilitate or cover up his relationship with Mason. The other three have to do with finances, including the governor accepting a campaign contribution from the Republican Governor's Association - money used to pay for a Las Vegas trip for Mason, Bentley and others - outside the window when it's legal to do so; using campaign funds to pay for Mason's legal fees; and a loan Bentley made to his own campaign.

Headed to DA

The Ethics Commission can refer its findings to the Alabama Attorney General or the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office. It opted for the Montgomery DA. The Alabama AG's Office has already confirmed it is investigating the governor as well.

Prison time?

If convicted, the governor faces up to 20 years in prison for each violation and a fine of up to $20,000 on each charge.

Governor denies charges

Bill Athanas, an attorney for the governor, said while the governor was "disappointed" with the findings, he will continue to fight the charges.

"We appreciate the time and effort that the commission spent on this. We disagree strongly with the result. But it's important to keep in mind that this is simply a finding of probable cause, not a finding of a violation," Athanas said. "There is not a basis to find that the governor violated any law, much less the ethics act or the Fair Campaign Practices Act. So the battle goes on."

A bad week for the governor gets worse

The Ethics Commission findings are just the first in what could be a very bad stretch for the governor. On Friday, the lawyer hired by the House committee preparing to impeach Bentley will release the report on his findings. It's the first step toward full impeachment hearings in the House.

House leaders said they plan to vote on Bentley's impeachment before the end of the session in May. If Representatives vote to impeach, Bentley is removed from office while awaiting a hearing in the Senate.

Bentley's removal would put Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey into the governor's seat. It's not the first time Alabama has seen a governor ousted on ethics charges, with the late Guy Hunt removed from office in 1993.