Spencer Collier

Spencer Collier was fired as Alabama Secretary of Law Enforcement on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

(JULIE BENNETT)

Spencer Collier, head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency until he was fired today, said this afternoon he has seen and investigated text messages and audio recordings "of a sexual nature" between Gov. Robert Bentley and his chief advisor, Rebekah Caldwell Mason.

It is the first on-the-record confirmation of a long-rumored affair from someone claiming personal knowledge of what took place, though people close to the governor argue it is the last gasp of an angry man.

But Collier lays out times and dates.

Collier, who was placed on medical leave by the governor last month, said he saw and heard evidence of the relationship in 2014 and approached the governor - who he considered a friend and father figure. He said the governor confirmed the relationship, but vowed to end it quickly.

"It's a horrible, ugly episode and I am ashamed to have been around it," Collier said. "But I told him I would never lie for him."

Jennifer Ardis, the governor's spokeswoman, said the governor denied Collier's allegations. Attempts to reach Mason tonight were unsuccessful. The governor has denied an improper relationship since rumors began to fly in the Capitol last year.

Collier said the first evidence of an affair arose Aug. 2, 2014, when Stan Stabler - who took his place as the head of ALEA - saw a text message from Mason on Bentley's cell phone. Collier said Stabler saw the message after the governor dropped his phone at a Business Council of Alabama conference at Point Clear.

He said Stabler notified his then-boss, former Bentley security officer Ray Lewis, of the "sexual nature" of the text.

Stabler said in a statement that "The allegation and implication from Mr. Collier is completely false and without merit. ALEA is focused on the future and my priority remains the same - to carry out the mission of the agency and ensure our law enforcement officers and support staff honorably provide service, protection, and safety for all of our citizens."

Gov. Robert Bentley and adviser Rebekah Mason

Attempts to reach Lewis tonight were unsuccessful.

Three days later, at 3 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2014, Lewis brought a laptop to Collier and played an audiotape of conversations between the governor and Mason, Collier said. The tape, purportedly created by a Bentley family member hoping for an "intervention," left no doubt about the relationship, he said.

"'If we're gonna do what we did yesterday we're going to have to lock that door,'" Collier says Mason said.

The governor responded, Collier maintains, with improper comments about "her breasts and behind."

Collier said Lewis erased the tape, but members of the governor's family still have a copy. Attempts to reach them failed.

Collier said he advised the governor he would be committing a felony if he used state equipment or resources to carry out such a relationship.

He says the governor assured him no such violation took place.

Bentley fired Collier this afternoon, reportedly after an internal investigation at ALEA found possible misuse of money under Collier.

It was unclear if his dismissal came before or after Coller told his story. He had been placed on medical leave for back surgery, although Bentley had indicated he was also being punished for failing to follow an order.

Bentley has said he ordered Collier not to get involved in the legal fight between the Alabama Attorney General's office and the defense of House Speaker Mike Hubbard. Collier was initially disciplined after signing an affidavit in that case.

"I never disobeyed a lawful order," Collier wrote today. "In fact, as a law enforcement officer, I have a duty to disobey an unlawful order and I DO NOT apologize for refusing to lie to the Attorney General's Office."