The $598 million, Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based credit union filed the lawsuit two months ago following years of regulatory inspections, allegations of fraud and lawsuits. President/CEO John Dee Carruth said he has proof of a state government conspiracy against him, several of his colleagues and his financial institution, in the form of dozens of emails, depositions and other documents he shared with CU Times.

Alabama One alleged secret meetings occurred at the governor's office and with his knowledge and permission, but didn't name him in the lawsuit initially.

“We named the defendants in this lawsuit based on our understanding of who the key actors were with regard to the specific communications and conduct we alleged,” Sloan previously told CU Times. “There is no doubt that the evidence on which we based our allegations indicates that meetings between certain of these defendants and a great deal of the improper conduct we have alleged emanated from the governor's office at the state Capitol and that the governor personally attended one or more of these meetings. We are committed to vigorously prosecuting this lawsuit and, if we later determine there are other parties who should be joined as defendants, we will not hesitate in adding them to this lawsuit. In the end, our singular goal is to bring justice to Alabama One Credit Union and Mr. Carruth and to hold all culpable parties accountable.”

Bentley did not return calls asking for comment on the allegations.

The suit was filed following “threats that the Alabama Credit Union Administration, which was allegedly being used as 'weapon of destruction,' would place Alabama One in conservatorship – the agency's harshest sanction,” the release said. “Alabama One and Mr. Carruth filed the lawsuit to seek recovery for the injuries they have suffered as a result of the alleged sustained and relentless campaign of regulatory and governmental overreach to push a nongovernmental agenda.”

Defendants now include Bentley, the Governor's Chief Legal Advisor David Byrne, McCollum, State Sen. Gerald H. Allen (R-Tuscalossa), Alabama Credit Union Administration Administrator Sarah Moore, member plaintiff attorney Justice “Jay” Smyth III, attorney Albert G. Lewis III, former ACUA Administrator Larry Morgan, former Alabama One employee Lori Ramos Baird and attorney Bobby Cockrell.

So far, Moore, Byrne and Key have filed motions to dismiss the suits against them. Alabama One has until Thursday to show cause as to why its complaint should not be dismissed.