Figures, Marques Call on Easterbrook to Resign
Rival congressional candidates agree the State lawmaker should leave office after his Atmore arrest, then trade partisan attacks
TL;DR: Shomari Figures and Rhett Marques both want Rep. Brett Easterbrook to resign following his arrest in an Atmore sting. Easterbrook faces attempted human-trafficking and solicitation charges and is presumed innocent.
U.S. Representative Shomari Figures (D-AL-02) and Republican challenger Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise) are calling for State Rep. Brett Easterbrook to resign, bringing bipartisan pressure on the Alabama lawmaker following his arrest in an undercover sting.
The rivals in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District made their calls Oct. 16. Figures urged Easterbrook to leave office unless his defense was mistaken identity. He also challenged Republicans, including Marques, to speak out, according to South Alabama News.
Marques agreed, saying “He absolutely should resign, and should have already resigned.”
Their agreement quickly gave way to partisan attacks. Marques accused Figures of failing to confront members of his own party. Figures countered that Marques had spoken up only after being challenged and renewed his call for a debate.
Easterbrook, a Republican from Fruitdale, was among 17 people arrested during the Oct. 1–3 operation at an Atmore hotel. Police used online ads to draw suspects to officers waiting at the hotel.
He was initially charged with first-degree human trafficking and soliciting prostitution. Prosecutors later moved to amend the trafficking charge to attempted trafficking, stating that no actual victim was involved in the sting. Court documents allege Easterbrook agreed to pay $500 for sex with an escort.
Two other public officials arrested in the operation have left their posts. Kory Wesley resigned as President of the Satsuma City Schools Board of Education. Orange Beach Public Works Director Timothy Tucker also resigned, and the city named Tyler Davidson to replace him.
Easterbrook has served in the Alabama House since 2018 and is not seeking reelection. His departure from the ballot, however, has not ended demands that he leave office before his term expires.
The charges remain allegations. Easterbrook and the other defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
