Alabama House speaker testifies at his ethic trial

OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard is testifying in his own defense at his ethics trial.

Hubbard will return to the witness stand Wednesday afternoon as he offers jurors his explanation of contracts his companies received and emails he sent seeking work.

Hubbard faces 23 felony ethics charges accusing him of using his political positions to obtain $2.3 million in work and investments for his companies. The Republican speaker testified Tuesday that he took precautions to obey the law and sought input from the director of the state ethics commission before accepting contracts.

The speaker said he sought advice from friends after being laid off and he vented his financial stress in emails to former Gov. Bob Riley.

Prosecutors will get a chance to question Hubbard later.