Opinion ID: 2545615
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Then Finance Director Mabry

Text: Then Finance Director Mabry first argues that he is entitled to State immunity because, he says, he was acting as the governor's alter ego or deputy in reviewing and preparing the incentive package provided to Hyundai. Therefore, Mabry argues, he should be granted the same immunity the governor or a sheriff would enjoy under similar circumstances. We disagree. A deputy sheriff enjoys the immunity of the sheriff because of long-standing precedent treating the deputy as an alter ego of the sheriff. We must reach the same conclusion with regard to Deputies Brandon and Finley. In Mosely v. Kennedy, 245 Ala. 448, 450, 17 So.2d 536, 537 (1944), this Court stated, `In general, the acts of the deputy sheriff are the acts of the sheriff. The deputy sheriff is the alter ego of the sheriff.' (Citations omitted.) In dealing with the same issue that is present here, the federal appellate court in Carr v. City of Florence, Alabama, 916 F.2d 1521, 1526 (11th Cir.1990), affirmed summary judgments for the Lauderdale County sheriff and his deputies, stating: `[Under Alabama law, a] deputy is legally an extension of the sheriff. If the deputy's acts are generally considered the acts of the sheriff, it is logical that those acts should also enjoy the immunity covering the sheriff's own acts.' Hereford v. Jefferson County, 586 So.2d 209, 210 (Ala.1991). The notion that State officials serving in the executive branch are deputy governors has no such precedential footing, and we decline to create it in this proceeding. Cabinet officials are not constitutional officers, and, therefore, they are not entitled to the State immunity of a constitutional officer. See the discussion of then Governor Siegelman's immunity in Part V.I. herein. Mabry also argues that he is entitled to State-agent immunity because, he says, he never exceeded the scope of his duties. Mabry testified that Strange did not speak with him or with then Governor Siegelman on the evening of March 28 about Hyundai's request, the meeting Strange convened, or his talks with CSX representatives. Then Governor Siegelman and Mabry were apprised of the conversations between Strange, Hyundai, and CSX on the following day, March 29, after then Mayor Bright had obtained the option on the Shelton property. Mabry and Siegelman state that they did not see either the letter from Strange to Hemphill or the e-mail from Hemphill to George. Mabry's involvement thereafter was limited to making the appropriate funds available to purchase the Shelton property on behalf of the State. Southdale and Wheeler/Phillips presented no evidence indicating that Mabry acted outside his authority as secretary of the AIFA; therefore, he is entitled to State-agent immunity in his individual capacity. The summary judgment in his favor is due to be affirmed on this alternative ground. Because we have concluded that the AIFA has no liability, the claims against Mabry in his capacity as the former secretary of the AIFA are moot.