The fallout from the scandal involving Gov. Robert Bentley and his former chief political advisor Rebekah Caldwell Mason is continuing. Mason resigned her post yesterday even as Bentley, a two-term Republican governor, maintains he will not step down.

Bentley has admitted to making "inappropriate" comments to Mason though they both have denied having a physical affair, even after audio of a 2014 phone conversation reveals him discussing touching her breasts and buttocks. The governor denies violating any laws in the course of his relationship with Mason, a married mother of three. The governor's revelations came seven months after Dianne Bentley, his wife of 50 years, filed for divorce.

Following a complaint from State Auditor Jim Zeigler, the Ethics Commission is investigating Bentley and any possible misuse of office.

As information continues to emerge about the relationship between Bentley and Mason, some questions remain:

Timing of the tape?

Gov. Bentley said the audio tape of his salacious conversation - one of several he admitted to - was made in 2014. Dianne Bentley didn't file for divorce, however, until August 2015. Why the delay and was there a specific incident that led to the filing?

If the relationship wasn't physical...

Gov. Bentley and Mason both said they have not had a physical relationship. In his March 23 press conference, Bentley adamantly stated "there was no sexual activity" between the couple. Just hours after that statement, an audio tape was released in which Bentley is heard saying "You know what? When I stand behind you, and I put my arms around you, and I put my hands on your breasts, and I put my hands (unintelligible) and just pull you real close. I love that, too. "

If the relationship wasn't sexual - or even physical - how would Bentley define it?

Why the emphasis on the airplane?

Gov. Bentley's press conference included several mentions of a leased airplane that was used during the 2014 gubernatorial campaign. Alabamians are all too aware of the issues involving the use of a state airplane for personal reasons, i.e. Guy Hunt. However, Bentley did not explain why he brought up the leased plane or the significance of the aircraft in this situation. State flight logs show Mason joining other members of the governor's office in what appear to be legitimate trips over the last two years. Those trips were taken on the state's plane. What we don't know is what trips were taken on the leased aircraft. Will the governor turn over those records?

What really led to the firing of Spencer Collier?

Rumors of Bentley's affair had existed for months. However, until former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency chief Spencer Collier's statements, there was no confirmation. The governor apparently went after Collier in connection to an affidavit given in the case against Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard. Bentley reportedly directed Collier not to provide the affidavit and later said an investigation into ALEA found a misuse of funds; Collier said the governor told him to lie. What's the real reason Collier was fired? And who else at ALEA was aware of the governor's relationship with Mason? Were any ALEA resources, such as security personnel, used to facilitate the relationship between Bentley and Mason?

ACEGOV's role?

After his reelection in 2014, Gov. Bentley said he would use leftover campaign funds to set up a nonprofit to help Alabama. A non-profit was established though it appears the money went to the Alabama Council for Excellent Government, a 501(c)(4) used to promote his political agenda. Mason was paid $15,000 by ACEGOV last year for unspecified consulting work with additional money coming from Bentley's campaign itself. ACEGOV has its own board but has done little else and plays no major role in Alabama's political scene. What was the role - if any - of ACEGOV in the relationship between Bentley and Mason? Was Mason technically serving as a lobbyist via ACEGOV? And did ACEGOV violate its own rules in promoting Bentley's plans?

Were funds or state property misused?

State Auditor Jim Zeigler's ethics complaint alleges Bentley misused state property to facilitate an affair with Mason. The audio tape from Bentley indicates the couple had some contact in his office ("Baby, let me know what I am going to do when I start locking the door. If we are going to do what we did the other day, we are going to have to start locking the door. ") At what level does something occurring in a government building constitute the use of official property? That's the question the Ethics Commission must answer and one many people are asking.

When will we know something from the Ethics Commission?

It could be months or longer. The Ethics Commission has assigned a special agent to look into the matter. Bentley has pledged his full cooperation with the commission but there's no time frame for its investigation. When will we know the results of the ethics investigation?

What else is out there?

Gov. Bentley conceded he made what he described as "mistakes" on more than one occasion, referencing "inappropriate comments" to Mason. While the recording was made two years ago, Bentley did not provide information on any other conversations that were sexual in nature. He did say the taped conversation - which he claimed not to have heard before they were released- was not the only time he made the inappropriate comments. He did not address the possibility of any other tapes or evidence of a relationship. Are there other tapes - audio or visual - or other documentation of an affair?

Are the governor and Mason still involved in a romantic relationship?

When asked during the press conference if he and Mason were involved in a romantic - if not sexual -relationship, Bentley responded: "What do you mean a romantic relationship?" He was then asked if he "loved Mrs. Mason." The governor said "I love many members of my staff, in fact all the members of my staff. Do I love some more than others? Absolutely." He did not provide additional information on their current relationship other than to say they had moved on. Mason resigned from her post Wednesday but neither party has confirmed the close relationship ended. What is the nature of their current relationship?

Will Jon Mason keep his state job?

Jon Mason serves as director of the Governor's Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, known as Serve Alabama. He also operates JRM Enterprises, a marketing and consulting firm that has done work for the University of Alabama. Jon Mason earned $91,400 as the agency's chief. Many have questioned why Mason remained on his post even after he learned of what he later described as the "personal issue" involving his wife and the governor. Why did he continue to work for the man who apparently was having an inappropriate relationship with his wife?

Gov. Kay Ivey?

Is Alabama ready for Gov. Kay Ivey? Questions about if Republicans really wanted Ivey in the Governor's Mansion have swirled in recent weeks. Ivey has remained quiet but the question has to be asked: Would Republicans push out Bentley knowing Ivey is waiting in the wings? And how will the Bentley scandal impact the 2018 gubernatorial race?

Here's the big one: Will Gov. Bentley resign?

Gov. Bentley has - repeatedly - said he's not stepping down. An ethics violation would likely answer that question for him, resulting in the governor being removed from office. Short of that or impeachment, it will be Bentley's call when he leaves. What would it take? More evidence of an improper relationship or misuse of state funds? More embarrassing audio tapes? An outcry from state Republicans? Who knows?