On Tuesday, former State Rep. Perry Hooper Jr. released a statement apologizing for what he called his “unacceptable behavior” towards Elizabeth Daly. The apology followed Judge J.R. Gaines’ acceptance of the Montgomery District Attorney’s motion to dismiss the charges against Hooper.
Hooper, through his attorney, Joe Espy, sent a copy of the apology to Alabama Today.
“I would like to express my sincere apologies to Elizabeth Daly. On August 16, 2022, Miss Daly was assisting my friend and me as a hostess where we were dining. I was wrong, and I take full responsibility for my actions. Miss Daly is an exemplary person, and my behavior was unacceptable. I hope she will accept this apology for my regrettable conduct.”
Espy said that Hooper would have no further comment on the matter.
“The State of Alabama has concluded that without the Victim’s testimony and cooperation, the evidence would be insufficient to attain a conviction,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Azzie Taylor wrote in a motion filed in Montgomery County Circuit court on Monday morning.
Hooper, age 68, was indicted on sex abuse charges by a Montgomery County grand jury last month. Hooper was arrested in August after an incident at a downtown Montgomery restaurant on Commerce Street where Daly was working.
Following the indictment, Daly released a statement asking that the charges against Hooper be dropped.
Daly wrote in a statement released to Alabama Today, “I have asked that any charges against Perry Hooper be dismissed. The matters relating to Mr. Hooper and me have been resolved, and going through the turmoil of a trial would provide no more justice than getting a sincere public apology from Mr. Hooper. I so respect and appreciate law enforcement and the job they have to perform. Nevertheless, I request these charges be dismissed.”
Daly has asked that the press respect her privacy and not contact her.
Hooper is a senior member of the Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee – the 425-member committee that directs the governance of the party. He is also a member of the Board of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Hooper was a frequently published political commentator whose columns were frequently published at 1819 News and the Montgomery Advertiser.
According to an affidavit, Hooper approached a woman (Daly) working at a restaurant from behind and allegedly grabbed her breasts and waist in an unsolicited embrace while shoving his pelvis against the victim’s backside and began kissing her neck before she was able to break free.
Hooper served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1983 to 2002.
Hooper is a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump and a frequent visitor to the Trump Whitehouse as well as Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Resort.
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