At a hastily called news conference on the Capitol steps this morning, Gov. Robert Bentley questioned the motives of those he said have exposed embarrassing details of his personal life and urged them to stop.

Bentley spoke publicly for the first time since the Ethics Commission found probable cause that he violated the ethics law and campaign finance law.

"I have done nothing illegal," the governor said. "If the people want to know if I misused state resources, the answer is simply no, I have not."

About the time the governor was speaking this morning, his lawyers were filing a complaint against the House Judiciary Committee, seeking to stop the release of an impeachment investigation report today by the special counsel for the committee, Jack Sharman.

The complaint, filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court, claims that the governor is not receiving due process in the impeachment proceedings, an argument his attorney, Ross Garber has made repeatedly.

Gov. Bentley vows to continue to serve Alabama 6 Gallery: Gov. Bentley vows to continue to serve Alabama

Clay Redden, spokesman for the House Judiciary Committee, said there is no immediate response to the lawsuit and that the plan to release the report today has not changed.

Bentley did not name anybody but called on those who he said enjoy embarrassing him and his family to stop.

"Those who would take pleasure in humiliating and shaming me, shaming my family, shaming my friends, well, I really don't understand why they would do that," the governor said, reading from a prepared statement.

"It may be out of vengeance, it may be out of jealousy, it may be out of anger. It may be out of personal political benefit, I don't know. But I would ask them to please stop."

The governor did not take questions after reading his statement.

Bentley said he had struggled in recent years, admitted he had made mistakes and apologized. He did not go into specifics.

"Once again, let me say to the people of this state how sorry I am to all of our people," Bentley said. "To all of you. There's no doubt that I have let you down. But all I ask is that you continue to pray for me and I will continue to pray for you."

Bentley repeated what he has said before, that he believes he is doing a job God called him to do.

"My motivation is to do what I truly believe what God called me to do," Bentley said. "That's to work hard and to serve our state and to serve and love the people of this great state of Alabama. God bless them and may God bless this great state as I continue to try to serve in the way that God has placed me in this position."

Original article continues below.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is making an announcement this morning on the steps of the state capitol.

The Ethics Commission found probable cause that Bentley violated the Fair Campaign Practices Act three times and the state ethics law once.

The commission's decision forwards the allegations to Montgomery County District Attorney Darryl Bailey for possible prosecution.

Bentley has denied wrongdoing.

Bentley, a former dermatologist and state legislator, enjoyed a virtually scandal-free administration until 2015 when Dianne Bentley, his wife of 50 years, filed for divorce.

Rumors of an affair with long-time aid Rebekah Mason soon surfaced, allegations that were later made public by fired Alabama Law Enforcement Agency chief Spencer Collier.

An audio tape released following Collier's statements revealed Bentley making lurid comments to Mason, who is married to Jon Mason, director of SERVE Alabama, the governor's office of faith-based initiatives. In the tape, Bentley is heard discussing touching Mason's breasts and kissing her while warning her they will have to be careful while in his office.

Bentley later apologized for what he described as "inappropriate" comments but said the two did not have a physical affair.

Mason, who was employed via a 501(c)(4) group established to promote the governor's agenda, later resigned.

Collier's claims led to at least two lawsuits against Bentley and Mason and several ethics complaints alleging the governor misused state resources to facilitate or hide the affair. Earlier this week, the Ethics Commission found "probable cause" Bentley had violated state ethics and campaign finance laws.

At the same time, House judiciary members have been pursuing impeachment proceedings against Bentley. Those hearings are set to start next week.