What the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices took up at its meetings since 2019: late-filing penalties and requests to waive them, complaints and requests to investigate, audits, and what it decided, as its meeting pages record them. A complaint is an allegation; the decision is the Commission's. Items naming someone on this site are also on their page.
As a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, Michelle Tucker was required to file a personal financial disclosure by August 17, 2026 stating the sources of her personal income in 2025 and other information. She did not file the report after receiving multiple emails and two letters. Ms. Tucker requests a waiver of the $100 late filing penalty. Staff recommendation: Commission staff recommend reducing the penalty to $50.
Decided: To find the personal financial discloser was filed late and reduce the penalty to $50. (vote 4-0)
Derek Levasseur, an unenrolled candidate for Governor, was required to file the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report on May 29, 2026. His treasurer filed the report on June 1. Mr. Levasseur requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty of $1,026.25. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommend reducing the penalty to $350.
Decided: To find the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report was filed late and reduce the penalty of $350 (vote 4-0)
Rep. James Thorne, a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, was required to file the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report on May 29, 2026. His treasurer filed the report on June 1. Rep. Thorne requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $34.50. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends not reducing the preliminary penalty because it is already below the range of penalties usually assessed when a report is filed late.
Decided: To find the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report was filed late and reduce the penalty of $34.50 (vote 4-0)
Doug Thomas, a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, was required to file the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report on May 29, 2026. His treasurer filed the report on June 1. Mr. Thomas requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $40.50. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends not reducing the preliminary penalty because it is already below the range of penalties usually assessed when a report is filed late.
Decided: To find the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report was filed late and assess a penalty of $40.50 (vote 4-0)
John Glowa, Sr., an unenrolled candidate for Governor, was required to file the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report on May 29, 2026. He filed the report on May 30. Mr. Glowa requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $60.56. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends not reducing the preliminary penalty because it is already below the range of penalties usually assessed when a report is filed late.
Decided: To find the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report was filed late and assess a penalty of $60.56 (vote 4-0)
Grow Maine PAC was six days late in filing the April Quarterly campaign finance report due April 10, 2026. The PAC requests a waiver of the $1,847.52 preliminary penalty due to the PAC’s history of filing campaign finance reports on time, the lack of automated email reminders from the Commission’s new eFiling system, and the reduced harm to the public resulting from the late report. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends a full or substantial waiver.
Decided: To find the April Quarterly campaign finance report was filed late and reduce the penalty to $100 (vote 4-0)
Reclaim Maine received a $20,000 contribution on July 9, 2025 to support a candidate for Governor in the 2026 elections. It did not register with the Commission as a PAC and file an initial campaign finance report until eight months later in March 2026. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends assessing penalties totaling $3,500 against the PAC for its late registration and initial campaign finance report. Please note the PAC is operating independently of the candidate whom the PAC is supporting. The late filings should not be attributed to the candidate or his campaign committee. Additional Material - Reclaim Maine Letter from Counsel Reclaim Maine withdrew their waiver request…
The fundraising platform ActBlue has a registered PAC in Maine that discloses contributions from donors to Maine candidates and committees. The PAC was 14 days late filing a campaign finance report due July 15, 2025 covering the second quarter of 2024. ActBlue requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty of $683,731 because the PAC attempted in good faith to upload more than 13,000 transactions to the Commission’s efiling system but experienced processing delays and had to address other errors. Staff recommendation: Commission staff recommends a reduction of 80% - 85% and assessing a final penalty in the range of $102,560 - $136,746. Made by: Commissioner Hastings Seconded by: Commissioner M…
Decided: To find ActBlue Maine violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1059(2)(A)(3) by filing its Committee July Quarterly Report late and to assess a penalty of $100,000. (vote 4-0)
Protect ME – No Red Flag is a ballot question committee formed by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine to oppose the red flag citizen initiative on the November 2025 ballot. Based on the date the ballot question committee exceeded the $5,000 registration threshold, it appears the committee registered 26 days late on July 1, 2025. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends finding that Protect ME - No Red Flag registered 26 days late and assessing a penalty of $500. Made by: Commissioner Schneider Seconded by: Commissioner Marble
Decided: To find the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine violated 21-A M.R.S. §1052-A(1)(A-1) by registering their ballot question committee with the Commission late and to assess a penalty of $500. (vote 4-0)
John DeVeau was a 2020 legislative candidate. Because his campaign finance reports have indicated he continues to have a campaign surplus over $100, he has been required to file semiannual reports each January 15th and July 15th. In spite of multiple communications from Commission staff, Mr. DeVeau did not file a report due January 15, 2025. Staff recommendation: staff recommends assessing a penalty of $500.
Decided: To find the report was unfiled, assess a penalty of $500 and refer the case to the Attorney General's office for further consideration (vote 5-0)
Rep. Laura Supica, a 2024 candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, was required to file a 24-Hour Report on October 26, 2024. Her treasurer filed the report on January 22, 2025. Rep. Supica requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty of $1,938.64. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the penalty to $300 (vote 5-0)
Rep. Holly Rae Eaton, a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, was required to file the 42-Day Post-General Report on December 17, 2024. Her treasurer filed the report on December 23. Rep. Eaton requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty of $1,117.21. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the penalty to $300 (vote 5-0)
Rep. Roger Albert, a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, was required to file two 24-Hour Reports on October 26 and 29, 2024. His treasurer filed the reports on November 21. Rep. Albert requests a waiver of the combined preliminary penalties of $2,482.60 because the late filings were unintended and due to an honest mistake. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the combined penalty for both reports to $400.
Decided: To find the reports were filed late and reduce the penalty to $400 (vote 5-0)
Rep. Steven Bishop, a candidate for the Maine House, was required to file a 24-Hour Report on October 29, 2024. The report was filed on December 11. Rep. Bishop requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty of $2,707.62, explaining that the campaign did not know a report was due because of a failure in communication. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the combined penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the penalty to $300 (vote 5-0)
Rep. Walter Runte, a candidate for the Maine House, was required to file a 24-Hour Report on October 25, 2024. His treasurer, Michelle Marean, filed the report on December 20, 2024. Rep. Runte requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $1,275.55. In the waiver request, Rep. Runte stated he did not understand that a 24-Hour Report was due when he obligated himself to pay for a postcard mailing. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the penalty to $300 (vote 5-0)
Sen. Joseph Rafferty, Jr., a candidate for the Maine Senate, was required to file a 24-Hour Report on October 30, 2024. His treasurer filed the report on December 11, 2024. Sen. Rafferty requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $5,000. In the waiver request, Sen. Rafferty stated because he agreed to the services during the 42-Day Pre-General reporting period, a 24-Hour Report was not required. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the penalty to $300 (vote 5-0)
Joe Boyd, a candidate for the Maine House, was required to file a 24-Hour Report on November 1, 2024. The report was filed on December 20. Mr. Boyd requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty of $2,262.62, because of his inexperience as a candidate and because his treasurer had a family emergency. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the preliminary penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the penalty to $300 (vote 5-0)
Reda Edelman, a candidate for the Maine House, was required to file a 24-Hour Report on October 31, 2024. The report was filed on December 17. The campaign requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty of $1,851.80 because the candidate and treasurer were new to campaign finance reporting and the treasurer did not receive the necessary information. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the preliminary penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the penalty to $300. (vote 5-0)
Rep. Scott Cyrway, a candidate for the Maine Senate, was required to file a 24-Hour Report on October 29, 2024. His treasurer, Allan Rowe, filed the report one day late. Mr. Rowe requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $43.98. In the waiver request, Mr. Rowe stated that failing to file the report after entering the transactions was a one-time oversight. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends not reducing the preliminary penalty because it is already below the range of penalties usually assessed when a report is filed late.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and access a penalty of $43.98 (vote 4-0)
Leo Kenney, a candidate for the Maine Senate, was required to file a campaign finance report on October 25, 2024, eleven days before the general election. His treasurer filed the report one day late. Mr. Kenney requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $835.37. In the waiver request, Mr. Kenney stated his treasurer was busy until late in the evening of October 25, but logged in and completed the report after midnight. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends reducing the preliminary penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the fine to $300 (vote 4-0)
Kevin Freeman, a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, was required to file a campaign finance report on October 25, 2024, eleven days before the general election. His treasurer, Shelly Mountain, filed the report one day late. Ms. Mountain requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $184.43. In the waiver request, Ms. Mountain stated that she had entered all the data required in the report but neglected to complete the filing process. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends not reducing the preliminary penalty because it is already below the usual range of penalties assessed when a report is filed late.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and access a penalty of $184.43 (vote 4-0)
On November 2, 2024, Bright Future Maine received a $10,000 contribution and was required to file a 24-Hour Report the next day. The PAC filed the report eight days late on November 11, 2024. The PAC requested a waiver of the $2,800 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: staff recommends reducing the penalty to $1,000.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the fine to $1,000 (vote 4-0)
The Cumberland County Republican Committee was required to file an independent expenditure report on October 20, 2024, but filed the report five days late on October 25. The committee seeks a waiver of the $382.50 preliminary penalty due to the inexperience of the committee treasurer and the committee’s reliance on volunteers. Staff recommendation: Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $100.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and reduce the fine to $100 (vote 4-0)
The FAM PAC was required to file an independent expenditure report on October 13, 2024, but filed the report 12 days late. The preliminary penalty is $365.40. The PAC requests a waiver because it initially thought all expenditures to support candidates were below the $250 reporting threshold. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends not reducing the preliminary penalty because it is already below the range of usual penalties assessed against PACs when an independent expenditure report is filed late.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and access a penalty of $365.40 (vote 4-0)
Richard Cyr, a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, was required to file a campaign finance report on September 24, 2024, forty-two days before the general election. His treasurer filed the report one day late. Mr. Cyr requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $498.50. In his waiver request, the candidate stated that he had entered all the data required in the report but his treasurer did not file the report on time and was having wifi issues. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends reducing the penalty to $300.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and the penalty be reduced to $300 (vote 5-0)
Flavia DeBrito, a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives, was required to file a campaign finance report on September 24, 2024, forty-two days before the general election. She filed the report one day late. She requests a waiver of a preliminary penalty of $64.90 because her treasurer was ill and the report included a large number of contributions. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends no waiver because the preliminary penalty is already below the normal range of penalties assessed when a candidate files a report late.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and access a penalty of $64.90 (vote 5-0)
The Democrats of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel is a committee of the Maine Democratic Party that was required to file a semiannual campaign finance report on July 15, 2024. The committee filed the report 72 days late. The preliminary penalty is $500. The committee requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends reducing the penalty to $100.
Decided: To find the report was filed late and the penalty be reduced to $100 (vote 5-0)
The November 5, 2024 Cape Elizabeth town ballot includes a referendum on whether to borrow money for school construction. The Commission received a complaint asserting that two ads in the local newspaper failed to state the names and addresses of the people who funded the advertising. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends finding that the ads violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1055-A(1) but assess no monetary penalty. Additional Material
Decided: To find the first advertisement did not have the proper disclosure and to assess no penalty (vote 5-0)
The Maine Republican Party was required to file two 24-Hour Reports by June 4 and 5, 2024. The party filed the reports 48 and 5 days late respectively. The two preliminary penalties total $38,839.80. The party requests a waiver due to an administrative oversight. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $1,500 per filing for a total penalty of $3,000.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $1,500 per filing for a total penalty of $3,000 (vote 4-0)
The Friends of Maine Hospitals was required to file a 24-Hour Report by June 8, 2024. The PAC filed the report 45 days late. The preliminary penalty is $900. The party requests a waiver due to inexperience of a staff member and other factors. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $500.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $500. (vote 4-0)
The Local 249 PAC Fund filed a timely 42-Day Post-Primary Report on July 22, 2024 with no activity, and then submitted an amended report with significant contributions on September 11, 2024, which staff found to be substantially non-compliant with the campaign finance reporting laws. The PAC was notified of a preliminary penalty as if the entire report was filed 50 days late on September 11. The preliminary penalty is $1,369. The PAC requests a waiver due to a communication error. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $500.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $500. (vote 4-0)
The Maine Labor Climate PAC was required to file a 60-Day Pre-General Independent Expenditure Report by September 6, 2024. The PAC filed the report 2 days late. The preliminary penalty is $534.44. The PAC requests a waiver due to a misunderstanding of the filing deadlines. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $400.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $400. (vote 4-0)
The Bright Future Maine PAC was required to file a 2-Day Pre-Primary Independent Expenditure Report by May 30, 2024. The PAC filed the report 71 days late. The preliminary penalty is $6,411.30. The PAC requests a waiver due to unfamiliarity with the eFiling website. It attempted to file the report on time but used the wrong transaction type. Staff recommendation: reducing the penalty to $375.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $375. (vote 4-0)
John DeVeau was a 2020 legislative candidate. Because he had a campaign surplus over $100, he has been required to file semiannual reports each January 15th and July 15th. In spite of multiple communications from Commission staff, Mr. DeVeau did not file reports due January 16 and July 15, 2024. Staff recommendation: assessing two penalties of $500, for a total of $1,000. In the event that Mr. Deveau files the two reports before the Commission meeting, the staff recommends smaller penalties for late filing. Additional Material
Decided: To assess a penalty of $100 per filing for a total penalty of $200. (vote 4-0)
Building the Maine House is a political action committee that was required to file the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report on May 31, 2024. It filed the report 46 days late on July 16, only after the Commission staff initiated an enforcement proceeding. Commission staff initiated the penalty process because the PAC has a unique history of not filing reports on time. Commission staff recommends consideration of a civil penalty or other enforcement action for the failure to file the 11-Day Pre-Primary Report within 30 days of the filing deadline.
Decided: To find the report was filed over 30-days late (vote 3-0)
Due to a 2023 law change, persons raising or spending more than $5,000 to influence a municipal ballot question (BQC) in a town or city with a population of less than 15,000 must register with the Commission and file campaign finance reports. In response to a complaint, at its April 18, 2024 meeting the Commission authorized department staff to investigate groups that were financially active in supporting and opposing an April 24, 2024 school construction referendum in the Boothbay region. Staff will report back to the Commission on its findings that Citizens for a Bright Future for the Boothbay Region should have registered and filed a report as a BQC. Staff recommendation: staff recommends…
Decided: To find the Citizens for a Bright Future filed their registration late, filed their initial campaign finance report late and lacked the proper disclaimer on their lawn signs. (vote 4-0)
The Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund PAC (PPMAF) was required to file an Independent Expenditure Report by April 27, 2024 in connection with printed literature supporting a primary election candidate. The PAC filed the report 14 days late because a staff person who had unexpectedly taken over handling campaign finance reports entered the wrong transaction type and did not complete the process of filing the report. The preliminary penalty is $733.60. PPMAF requests a waiver of the penalty. Staff recommendation: staff recommends reducing the penalty to $400.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $400. (vote 4-0)
Political action committees (PACs) registered with the Commission are required by statute to submit an updated electronic registration by March 1st of each election year. In February-March, Commission staff sent four emails to PACs urging them to log into the eFiling site, review their committee details, make any necessary changes, and amend (refile) the registration. The Bangor Fire Fighters PAC Fund did not update its registration until March 11, 2024. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends a finding of violation and assessment of a $250 penalty.
Decided: To find the updated registration was filed late and assess a $0 penalty. (vote 4-0)
State Representative Joseph Galletta qualified as a candidate for reelection on March 13, 2024. Commission staff has made multiple attempts to contact him by phone and letter requesting that he register as a candidate. Rep. Galletta is in a contested primary election on June 11, 2024. Failure to register as a candidate prevents him from electronically filing campaign finance reports, which is a separate legal requirement. Staff recommendation: staff recommends finding Rep. Galletta in violation of 21-A M.R.S. § 1013-A(l)(A) and assessing a $100 penalty against him.
In August and October 2023, the Our Power ballot question committee was required to send written notices to two of its contributors, 128 Collective Initiatives and the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, advising them that they must file Major Contributor Reports with the Commission. The notices were required because the organizations had made contributions of more than $100,000 to Our Power to support Question 3. Our Power was late in sending the notices to the two contributors and copies to the Commission. The preliminary penalties against Our Power for the late notices total $28,155.08. Our Power requests a waiver.
Decided: To assess a penalty of $3,000 for each violation for a total of $6,000. (vote 3-2 (Commissioner Schneider and Commissioner Hasting voting against))
Genuine Parts Company requested a waiver for a late-filing penalty, which was continued by the Commission from its November 29, 2023 meeting to ensure that a representative of the company could contribute. Genuine Parts Company (NAPA) contributed $500,000 to promote Question 4, the right to repair initiative. A contributor that has donated more than $100,000 and received a major contributor notice is required to file a major contributor report with the Commission by the next filing deadline applicable to ballot question committees and PACs. Genuine Parts Company should have filed a major contributor report with the Commission by October 5, 2023, but it filed the report one day late on Octobe…
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $5,000. (vote 5-0)
Once a ballot question committee or political action committee (PAC) receives contributions from a source totaling more than $100,000 to influence a ballot question, the committee must send a notice to the contributor that it is required to file a major contributor report with the Commission. The committee must also send a copy of the notice to the Commission. The Maine Energy Progress PAC received contributions from Versant Power totaling $257,688.68 as of October 19, 2023 to oppose Question 3. This required the PAC to send a major contributor notice to Versant Power and the Commission by October 24, but the PAC sent the notices three days late on October 27. The preliminary penalty against…
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $3,000. (vote 5-0)
Genuine Parts Company contributed $500,000 to promote Question 4, the right to repair initiative. A contributor that has donated more than $100,000 and received a major contributor notice is required to file a major contributor report with the Commission by the next filing deadline applicable to ballot question committees and PACs. Genuine Parts Company should have filed a major contributor report with the Commission by October 5, 2023, but it filed the report one day late on October 6. The preliminary penalty against Genuine Parts Company for filing the report late is $50,000, which is 10% of its $500,000 contribution to promote the initiative. Genuine Parts Company has requested a waiver o…
Decided: To postpone this agenda item until the next Commission meeting. (vote 5-0)
In 2023, Dorman Products contributed $150,000 to promote Question 4, the right to repair initiative. It was required to file a major contributor report with the Commission by October 5, 2023, but it filed the report 18 days late on October 23, 2023. The preliminary penalty against Dorman Products for filing the report late is $15,000, which is 10% of its $150,000 contribution. Dorman Products has requested a waiver of the penalty.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $5,000. (vote 5-0)
During May to September 2023, the Maine Automotive Right to Repair ballot question committee (BQC) received contributions exceeding $100,000 from six contributors. It was required to send notices to the major contributors during the period of May 10 - September 6, 2023, and send copies of the notices to the Commission. The BQC was late in sending five notices to the contributors. Most of the notices were sent to contributors one to four weeks late, and one notice was sent to the contributor more than three months late. The BQC was late in sending six copies of the notices to the Commission. The preliminary penalties for sending the notices late total $240,000, which is 10% of the total recei…
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $35,000. (vote 5-0)
We the People PAC was required to file an 11-Day Pre-Special Election campaign finance report by Friday, June 2nd. The report was never filed, and the activity required to be reported was disclosed 45 days late. The committee is requesting a waiver of the late filing penalty of $1,147.50 because the treasurer states the PAC was not aware their financial activity triggered a special election report. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $400.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $400. (vote 5-0)
Star City PAC was required to file an 11-Day Pre-Special Election campaign finance report by Friday, June 2nd. The report was never filed, and the activity required to be reported was disclosed 39 days late. The committee is requesting a waiver of the late filing penalty of $370.50 because the treasurer states he had confused previous Commission staff advice and believed the PAC did not need to file. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $200.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $150. (vote 5-0)
Josh McClenney, as the lobbyist for American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, was required to file a monthly lobbying report for May on the 15th of June 2023. The report was not filed until June 22nd, 7 days late. Mr. McClenney is requesting a waiver of the late filing penalty of $100, stating he thought he had filed but did not click the right button to submit the report. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends not reducing the penalty of $100.
On October 28, 2022, the Maine AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education PAC was required to file a 24-Hour Report for a $4,500 donation it made to the House Democratic Campaign Committee. The 24-Hour Report was not filed until December 21, 2022. The preliminary penalty is $4,860. The PAC requests a waiver because the PAC was confused about the spending threshold and there was minimal harm to the public. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends reducing the penalty to $750.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $750. (vote 5-0)
The Maine United Auto Workers Council PAC was required to file two 24-Hour Reports on November 1 and 5, 2022 for two $2,500 donations made to the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. Both reports were filed on December 22, 2022. The combined preliminary penalties total $4,900. The PAC requests a waiver of the penalties, explaining that the PAC believed 24-Hour Reports were required only for donations to candidates. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends reducing the combined preliminary penalty to $1,000.
Decided: To reduce the combined penalty to $1,000. (vote 5-0)
At the Commission’s January 30, 2023 meeting, the Commission assessed a $500 penalty against the 2022 re-election campaign of Sen. Mark Lawrence because it had not filed a 24-Hour Report for a reported November 2, 2022 expenditure of $5,000. This was the second of two $5,000 expenditures the campaign reported making to the vendor. Sen. Lawrence has notified agency staff that the November 2, 2022 payment was a duplicate entry, and only one $5,000 payment was made. He requests that the Commission reconsider the $500 penalty.
Decided: To reconsider the penalty matter. (vote 5-0)
State Senator Mark Lawrence was a candidate for re-election in the 2022 general election. He was required to file a 24-Hour Report on November 3, 2022. His campaign filed the report on December 21 when completing the post-election campaign finance report. The preliminary penalty is $5,000. In requesting a waiver, Sen. Lawrence stated that the campaign made a mistake due to a combination of demands on his campaign manager. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $500.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $500. (vote 5-0)
Representative Ronald Russell was a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives in the 2022 general election. He was required to file a 24-Hour Report on October 29, 2022. He filed the report on December 20 when completing the post-election report. The preliminary penalty is $1,573.52. Rep. Russell requests a waiver because he did not recognize that a report was due. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $350.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $350. (vote 5-0)
Representative Reagan Paul was a candidate for the House in the 2022 general election. She was required to file a 24-Hour Report on November 1, 2022. She filed the report on December 20 when completing the post-election report. The preliminary penalty is $1,945.30. Rep. Paul requests a waiver due to inexperience, the pressures in the week before the election, and because her usual practice was to report payments when they cleared the bank. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $350.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $350. (vote 5-0)
Neil MacLean, Jr. was a candidate for District Attorney, Prosecutorial District 3 in the 2022 general election. His campaign was required to file a 24-Hour Report on November 4, 2022 for a payment of $4,600 to a texting platform. The report was filed on December 14 when the campaign’s treasurer was completing the post-election report. The preliminary penalty is $3,680. The treasurer requests a waiver because of the inexperience of the campaign, work and family demands contributed to the error, she viewed the $4,600 as an amount placed on reserve rather than an expenditure, and the preliminary penalty of $3,680 is disproportionately high. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommend r…
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $350. (vote 5-0)
Representative Sharri MacDonald was a candidate for Senate District 31 in the 2022 general election. She filed campaign finance reports on September 26 and October 28, 2022 showing no campaign expenditures. In fact, she made three purchases during the report periods totaling around $861. The Commission staff views both reports as late because they were not substantially compliant. The two late-filing penalties total $1,255.87. Rep. MacDonald requests a waiver because this was an unintentional error, the expenditures “slipped through the cracks,” and she was careful with her campaign spending. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $350.
Decided: To reduce the penalty for the late filing of the 42-Day Pre-General report to $150. (vote 5-0)
The Aroostook County Republican Committee was required to file the 11-Day Pre-General campaign finance report by Friday, October 28th, but it was not filed until Sunday, November 6th, making the report nine days late. The committee was also required to file a 24-Hour Report by Saturday, November 5th, but it was not filed until Monday, November 7th, making the report two days late. The combined penalty for the two late reports is $620. The committee is requesting a waiver of these penalties because the treasurer had Covid at the time the reports were due. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommend reducing the total penalties to $220.
Decided: To reduce the penalty for the late filing of the 11-Day Pre-General report to $100. (vote 5-0)
Senator Matthea Daughtry was a candidate for re-election in the 2022 general election. She was required to file the 11-Day Pre-General Report on October 28, 2022. Her campaign filed it one day late on October 29. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $658.21. Sen. Daughtry requests a waiver because the campaign’s authorized agent was unavailable during the evening of October 28 and the report was filed 13 minutes late. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommend reducing the penalty to $300.00.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $150. (vote 5-0)
Steve LaFreniere and his partner, Joy Oakes, of Brownville, Maine, purchased lawn signs with personal funds that were posted in the Brownville area. The signs contained express advocacy promoting Paul LePage and opposing Governor Janet Mills. The signs did not include any statement disclosing who paid for them. Mr. LaFreniere was required to file a 2-Day Pre-General Independent Expenditure Report with the Commission by October 16th, but it was not filed until November 7th, making the report 22 days late. The preliminary penalty is $1,099.44. Mr. LaFreniere and Ms. Oakes request a waiver because they did not know that an independent expenditure report was required. Staff recommendation: the C…
Decided: Regarding the matter of the late filing, to reduce the penalty to $200. (vote 5-0)
The York Voter Alliance is an association of individuals who fundraised among themselves to purchase signs disseminated in York. The signs contained express advocacy supporting Governor Janet Mills. The signs did not include the full disclaimer language but did include the phrase “York Citizens Alliance” at the bottom of each sign. The group was required to file a 2-Day Pre-General Independent Expenditure Report with the Commission by October 1st, but it was not filed until November 14th, making the report 44 days late. The preliminary penalty is $672.61. David Chase of the York Voter Alliance is requesting a waiver because he did not know that an independent expenditure report was required.…
Decided: Regarding the matter of the late filing, to reduce the penalty to $200. (vote 5-0)
Robert McCarthy was a candidate for House District 93. Mr. McCarthy was required to file a 24-Hour Report on November 1, 2022 but did not file it until November 15. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $308.09. Mr. McCarthy is requesting a waiver of the penalty due to his inexperience, lack of assistance with his campaign, and the size of his campaign. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommend reducing the penalty to $300.
Decided: To reduce the statutory penalty to $300. (vote 5-0)
The Aroostook County Republican Committee was required to file the 11-Day Pre-General campaign finance report by Friday, October 28th, but it was not filed until Sunday, November 6th, making the report nine days late. The committee was also required to file a 24-Hour Report by Saturday, November 5th, but it was not filed until Monday, November 7th, making the report two days late. The combined penalty for the two late reports is $620. The committee is requesting a waiver of these penalties because the treasurer had Covid at the time the reports were due. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommend reducing the total penalties to $220.
Decided: To postpone this matter until the next meeting. (vote 5-0)
The Androscoggin County Democratic Committee was required to file the 11-Day Pre-General campaign finance report by Friday, October 28th. The report was not filed until Monday, October 31st, making the report three days late. The committee is requesting a waiver of the late filing penalty of $99.94 because the treasurer states she did not receive a reminder about the filing. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommend not reducing or waiving the $99.94 penalty.
Decided: To not reduce the statutory penalty of $99.94. (vote 5-0)
We the People PAC was required to file independent expenditure reports on October 12 and 19, 2022. The PAC filed both reports on October 24th, which was 12 days and 5 days late, respectively. The combined preliminary penalties total $5,099.96. The PAC requests a waiver of the penalties because the treasurer believed he had he filed the reports correctly and on time. In fact, the treasurer did not file either report and had selected wrong transaction type when entering expenditure information. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalties to a total of $1,099.96.
Decided: To reduce the fine for the late-filing of the October 12 independent expenditure report to $1,000. (vote 5-0)
Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund PAC (PPMAF) was required to file an independent expenditure report sixty days before the general election on September 9, 2022. The PAC filed the report on October 5th, which was 26 days late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $2,433.60. PPMAF requests a waiver of the penalty because the authorized agent filing the report for the PAC was unaware of the 60-day deadline due to inexperience. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $750.00.
Decided: To reduce the statutory penalty to $750 for the late filing of the PAC's independent expenditure report. (vote 5-0)
Danielle Fienberg was a candidate for Senate District 2. She was required to file the 11-Day Pre-General Report on October 28, 2022, but her treasurer filed the report on October 29th, one day late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $368.12. Ms. Fienberg requests a waiver of the penalty because a campaign volunteer who was responsible for social media ads was unexpectedly ill and was unavailable to provide details concerning Facebook purchases. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends no reduction of the $368.12 penalty.
Decided: To not reduce the statutory penalty of $368.12 for the late campaign finance report. (vote Motion failed for lack of a second.)
Stephen Hanrahan was a candidate for House District 16. He was required to file a 24-Hour Report on October 27, 2022, but filed the report on November 6th, nine days late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $423.54. Mr. Hanrahan requests a waiver of the penalty due to inexperience and the relative size of the campaign. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $300.00.
Decided: To reduce the statutory penalty amount to $300 for the late 23-Hour Report. (vote 5-0)
David Thurston was a candidate for House District 78. He was required to file the 11-Day Pre-General Report on October 28, 2022. Lee Hughes, his treasurer, filed the report one day late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $139.82. Ms. Hughes requests a waiver of the penalty due to memory difficulties and a miscommunication with Commission staff. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends no reduction of the $139.92 penalty.
Decided: To assess a fine of $139.92 for the late campaign finance report.
Scott Gaiason was a candidate for House District 97. He was required to file the 42-Day Pre-General report on September 27, 2022. The report was filed one day late and was substantially incomplete. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $135.43. Mr. Gaiason requests a waiver of the penalty because he did not know he had to report an unpaid debt to a vendor for $6,771.37. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends no reduction of the $135.43 penalty.
Decided: To assess the campaign a $135.43 penalty for the late filed report. (vote 5-0)
John V. Chambers is a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives. He was required to file the 42-Day Post-Primary Report on July 26, 2022. His treasurer, David Burns, filed the report one day late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $34.90. Mr. Burns is requesting a waiver of the penalty, because he made a good-faith attempt at filing the report and believed he had been successful. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff does not recommend waiving the $34.90 penalty.
Decided: To not waive the fine for late filing. (vote 5-0)
Benjamin Meiklejohn was a candidate in the special election for Senate district 7. He was required to file the 42-Day Post-Election Report on July 26, 2022. He filed the report one day late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $18.03. Mr. Meiklejohn is requesting a waiver of the penalty because he tried to file the report using his cell phone near the deadline but encountered technical difficulties. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff does not recommend waiving the $18.03 penalty.
Decided: To not waive the fine for late filing. (vote 5-0)
The Waldo County Democratic Committee was required to file the 2022 July Semiannual Report, due July 15, 2022. The committee filed the report three days late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $181.21. Pamela Chase, the treasurer of the committee, is requesting a waiver of the penalty because she believed she had filed the report on time. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff does not recommend waiving the $181.21 penalty.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $60.40 based on the statutory formula if it were filed one day late. (vote 5-0)
The Lincoln County Republican Committee was required to file the 2022 July Semiannual Report, due July 15, 2022. The committee filed the report four days late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $500.00. Ronald Cohen, the treasurer of the committee, is requesting a waiver of the penalty because the entire leadership of the committee had recently resigned and he did not have access to the committee’s bank records. The July 2022 report is the first campaign finance report he has filed. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the penalty to $100.00.
Decided: To reduce the penalty to $100. (vote 5-0)
Candidates for the Legislature who not currently serving are required to file a Statement of Sources of Income (SOSOI) by August 15th of the election year. The SOSOI discloses certain elements of the candidate’s personal finances and those of their immediate family members. Timothy Keenan and Nancy Piche are candidates for the Maine House of Representatives in the November 2022 general election. Daniel Merrill was a candidate for the same office until he withdrew from the ballot on August 30, 2022. The three candidates were required to file the SOSOI by August 15, 2021. Unfiled and late SOSOI reports are subject to a finding of a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $100 may be …
Decided: To find all three candidates in violation of the statutory requirement to file a SOSOI, and to refer Mr. Keenan and Ms. Peche to the Office of the Attorney General for collection of a penalty of up to $100. (vote 5-0)
Paul R. LePage is a candidate for governor in the 2022 elections. He was required to file the 42-Day Pre-Primary Report by 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2022, but the report was not filed until May 4, 2022, one day late. The preliminary penalty is $9,091.83. The campaign is requesting a waiver of the penalty.
Decided: To find that the campaign violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1017(2)(B) when it failed to file the statutorily required report by the deadline. (vote 5-0)
Ethan Alcorn was an unenrolled candidate for governor. He was required to file the 42-Day Pre-Primary Report by 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2022, but the report was not filed until May 4, 2022, one day late. The preliminary penalty is $200. He is requesting a waiver of the penalty.
Decided: To find that the campaign violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1017(2)(B) when it failed to file the statutorily required report by the deadline. (vote 5-0)
Kenneth Fredette registered as a lobbyist for his client, Voatz, on February 4, 2022. He was required to file a monthly report by March 15, 2022 but filed the report one week late. In a March 22, 2022 letter requesting a waiver of the preliminary $100 penalty, he explains that his firm had not lobbied the Legislature for the client and therefore missed the deadline. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended not waiving the $100 penalty.
Decided: Find that Lobbyist Kenneth Fredette violated 3 M.R.S. § 317 by not filing the March Lobbyist report by March 15 and impose a $100 penalty. (vote 5-0)
After qualifying for the ballot through petitioning, candidates are required to appoint a treasurer and register with the Commission. Two candidates for State Representative qualified for the primary election ballot by submitting nominating petitions to the Secretary of State on March 7 and 14, 2022. They have not registered as candidates with the Commission in spite of multiple communications from the Commission staff, including by U.S. Mail and voicemail. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended finding each candidate in violation of the registration statute and assessing a $100 penalty under 21-A M.R.S.A. § 1020-A(1).
Decided: Find that Timothy Keenan and Howard Patten violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1013-A(1)(A) by not timely filing with the Commission and assess a $100 penalty for each of them per 21-A M.R.S.A. § 1020-A(1). (vote 5-0)
Members of the Maine Legislature are required to file an annual statement of the sources of their personal income by February 15th disclosing their employment and other income sources during the previous year. The statement also includes gifts, travel reimbursements, and positions in for profit, nonprofit and/or political organizations. State Representatives Chad Grignon, Frances Head, and MaryAnne Kinney filed their statements 23 or 24 days late, after the Commission sent them four email notices of the upcoming February 15 deadline and two post-deadline reminders by email and regular mail. The Commission will consider whether to find that the Representatives violated 1 M.R.S. § 1016-G(2) by…
Decided: Find that Representatives Chad Grignon, Frances Head and MaryAnne Kinney violated 1 M.R.S. § 1016-G(2) by not filing an annual Statement of Sources of Income within 15 days of being notified by the Commission and these violations should be referred to the Attorney General’s office for imposition of a civil penalty of up to $100 to be imposed by the court. (vote 5-0)
The Piscataquis County Republican Committee was one week late in filing a campaign finance report due January 18, 2022 covering the 2021 calendar year. The preliminary penalty is $500. The committee requests a waiver of the penalty due to the inexperience of the treasurer and because the committee had not been financially active for some years. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the penalty to $100.
Decided: To reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $500 for the late filing to $100 as recommended by the Commission staff. (vote 5-0)
The Mainers for Local Power PAC was late in filing 24-Hour Reports for two transactions in the last week before the November 2, 2021 election. The preliminary penalties total $398,500. The PAC acknowledges that the two reports were inadvertently filed late due to an oversight. It filed ten 24-Hour Reports on time and the amount of the two transactions reported late represent a small amount of the PAC’s financial activity leading up to the election that it had disclosed on time. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the preliminary penalties to a total of $5,000.
Decided: To reduce the combined statutorily calculated penalty for two late-filed 24-Hour Reports from $398,500 to $35,000. (vote 5-0)
In October 2021, No on 3: Right to Food is Wrong for Maine registered as a political action committee in opposition to a constitutional amendment on the November 2, 2021 election ballot. The PAC was late filing three 24-Hour reports due on October 26 and 27. The PAC entered the three transactions in the Commission’s eFiling system, believed it had filed the reports, but did not finish the filing process. The preliminary penalties total $932. The PAC’s treasurer requests a waiver due to her inexperience as a treasurer and in using the Commission’s electronic filing system. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the penalties to $750. Amended Motion: To reduce the statutorily cal…
Decided: To reduce the statutorily calculated penalty from $932 to $500. (vote NO VOTE)
Protect Maine Elections is a political action committee that registered on September 9, 2021 in support of a citizen initiative to reduce the influence of foreign governments in ballot question campaigns in Maine. The PAC was one day late submitting its initial campaign finance report because one of the PAC leaders had difficulty filing the report. The preliminary penalty is $1,004. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the penalty to $750.
Decided: To reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $1,004 to $750. (vote 5-0)
The Dirigo Partners consulting firm mistakenly used the wrong form to file a total of six monthly lobbying reports performed for three clients during February - July 2021. The incorrect forms did not include the details of compensation earned by the firm for those clients and the bills lobbied. After reporting the mistake to the Commission, Dirigo Partners filed the correct reports. The Commission staff notified the firm of late-filing penalties totaling $2,500, and Dirigo Partners is requesting a waiver. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the penalties to a total of $300.
Decided: To find that statutorily calculated penalty of $2,500 for the late-filed lobbyist reports by Dirigo Partners be reduced to $150. (vote 5-0)
In July 2020, Robyn Stanicki ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary election for State Senate, District 11. Because she had more than $100 in campaign funds left over after the primary, Ms. Stanicki was required to file semiannual campaign finance reports every January 15th and July 15th until she disposed of her excess campaign cash. She filed the campaign finance report due July 15, 2021 fifty-seven days late due to health and family issues. She requests a waiver of the $632.75 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended reducing the penalty to $250.
Decided: To reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $632.75 to $250. (vote 5-0)
Lobbyist Anya Fletcher, the registered lobbyist for Environment Maine, was six minutes late filing her monthly lobbyist report due at 11:59 p.m. on June 15, 2021 due to an interruption in her internet service as she was filing her report. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended not waiving the preliminary $50 penalty.
Decided: Impose the $50 penalty for the late-lobbyist filing. (vote 5-0)
Political Committee and Lobbyist Registrar Michael Dunn continued his review of the leadership PAC of former State Representative Diane Russell. Mr. Dunn found that during 2013-2018 the PAC engaged in a large amount of financial activity which it did not disclose in campaign finance reports, including $16,047.64 in expenditures. The PAC also made payments to Rep. Russell’s 2016 primary election campaign for State Senate that exceeded the $375 limit by $285. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended assessing a penalty of $285 for making an over-the-limit contribution.
Decided: Find that Working Families PAC violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1015(2) by making a contribution to Diane Russell's senate campaign that was $285 over the $375 limit and impose a penalty of $285. (vote 5-0)
The Commission staff preliminarily determined that the Mainers for Local Power PAC was late in providing notice to two of its contributors that they were required to file major contributor reports with the Commission. Both contributors had previously filed major contributor reports in connection with a previous initiative that was on for November 2020 and later removed from the ballot. The PAC requests a waiver of the preliminary penalties for providing the notices late. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended viewing the late notices as a single violation and assessing a total penalty of $2,500.
Decided: To find that Mainers for Local Power violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1060-A(2) by failing to provide notice to Calpine Corporation and impose a penalty of $2,500. (vote 5-0)
On October 22, 2020, the Energy PAC for Maine made seven expenditures of $1,000 or more as contributions to other political action committees. It was required to report these expenditures in a 24-Hour Report by October 23, 2020 but did not do so until December 14, 2020. The PAC requests a waiver of the $8,840 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended reducing the penalty to $750.
Decided: To adopt the Commission staff’s recommendation that the penalty for the violation by Energy PAC for Maine be reduced to $750 (vote 5-0)
On November 18, 2020, the Clean Energy Matters PAC received a contribution of $813,000 from Avangrid relating to an initiative that was submitted to the Secretary of State on September 16, 2020. The Commission staff believes the contribution required the PAC to provide notice to Avangrid of its obligation to file a Major Contributor Report with the Commission by November 23, 2020. The PAC contends that no notice was required because the PAC had provided a similar notice in connection with a previous contribution by Avangrid. The PAC requests a waiver of the $50,000 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended reducing the penalty to $5,000.
Decided: To find a violation of Title 21-A, section 1060-A(2) because Clean Energy Matters failed to give notice within five days of receiving the $813,000 contribution from Avangrid, which occurred on November 18, 2020. (vote 5-0)
The Committee filed its January Semi-Annual Report on January 15, 2021. Upon reviewing the report, the Commission staff made a preliminary finding that the 11-Day Pre-General Election Report (due on 10/23/2020) was filed late. The preliminary penalty for the late filing is $500, and the committee requested a waiver. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended the penalty be reduced to $100.
Decided: to accept the staff recommendation to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $500 to $100. (vote 5-0)
The Committee filed its January Semi-Annual Report on January 15, 2021. Upon reviewing the report, the Commission staff made a preliminary finding that the 11-Day Pre-General Election Report (due on 10/23/2020) was filed late. The preliminary penalty for the late filing is $500, and the committee is requesting a waiver. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended the penalty be reduced to $100.
Decided: to accept the staff recommendation to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $500 to $100. (vote 5-0)
The Committee filed its January Semi-Annual Report on January 15, 2021. Upon reviewing the report, the Commission staff made a preliminary finding that the 11-Day Pre-General Election Report (due on 10/23/2020) was filed late. The preliminary penalty for the late filing is $500, and the committee is requesting a waiver. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended the penalty be reduced to $100.
Decided: to accept the staff recommendation to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $500 to $100. (vote 5-0)
Senator Troy Jackson ran for State Senate in District 1 in the 2020 general election. He was required to disclose a $1,250 expenditure in a 24-Hour Report by October 27, 2020. He entered the transaction in the Commission’s eFiling system on Oct. 27. He believed he had filed the report, but it was not filed until two days later by his deputy treasurer. The preliminary penalty for filing the report two days late is $50. Sen. Jackson requested a waiver because he attempted to file the report, and because an erroneous email notice by the Commission’s eFiling system four days earlier caused confusion when Sen. Jackson was communicating with his deputy treasurer. Staff recommendation: the Commissi…
Decided: To not waive the preliminary penalty of $50 (vote 5-0)
On October 26, 2020, the Mainers for Health and Parental Rights PAC made an expenditure of $1,000 as a contribution to the Maine Prosperity Alliance PAC. It was required to report this expenditure in a 24-Hour Report by October 27, 2020 but did not do so until December 15, 2020. The PAC requested a waiver of the $980 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended reducing the penalty to $750.
Decided: To accept the late-filed waiver request and consider it on its merits (vote 5-0)
Scott Gaiason ran for the State House of Representatives in District 56 in the 2020 general election. Mr. Gaiason was required to file the 11-Day Pre-General Report on October 23, 2020 but filed it one day late. The preliminary penalty for this late filed report is $109.54. The candidate requested a waiver of the penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended not waiving the preliminary penalty of $109.54.
Decided: To assess the statutorily calculated penalty of $109.54 (vote 5-0)
Jeffrey Pierce is a candidate for the Maine House of Representatives. He was required to file the 42-Day Pre-General Report on September 22, 2020. His campaign filed the report one day late. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $40.37. Mr. Pierce’s campaign is requesting a waiver because of his treasurer’s confusion in interpreting automated email notifications from the Commission’s e-filing system.
Decided: To support the staff recommendation to not waive the statutorily calculated penalty of $40.37 (vote 5-0)
The Revive Hometown Maine PAC was required to file an October Quarterly campaign finance report on October 5, 2020. Because of an unexpected computer hardware problem, the PAC filed the report two days late. The PAC requests a waiver of the $510 preliminary penalty.
Decided: To accept the staff recommendation to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $510 to $250 (vote 5-0)
Jonathan Courtney is a registered lobbyist for two clients. He did not file monthly reports covering July 2020 by the August 17th deadline because he believed he had requested a non-session waiver in the first week of July. He filed the reports the morning after the deadline. The preliminary penalties for the two late reports total $100, and he requests a waiver. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended reducing the penalties to a total of $50.
Decided: To accept the staff recommendation to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $100 to $50 (vote 5-0)
Kerri Bickford is a registered lobbyist for Pathways of Maine. She did not file monthly reports covering August 2020 by the September 15th deadline because she believed she had requested a non-session waiver in June. She filed the report the morning after the deadline. The preliminary penalty for the late report is $50, and she requests a waiver. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended not waiving the $50 penalty.
Decided: To accept the staff recommendation to not reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $50 (vote 5-0)
On July 1, 2020, the Maine Truck PAC made an expenditure of $2,686.68 for the purchase of golf balls for a fundraiser occurring in September 2020. It was required to report this expenditure in a 24-Hour Report by July 2, 2020, but did not do so until August 14, 2020. The PAC requests a waiver of the $2,203.08 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended reducing the penalty to $500.
Decided: To accept the staff recommendation to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $2,203 to $500 (vote 5-0)
State Senator Mark Lawrence is running for re-election to the Maine Senate, District 35. He was required to file a 42-Day Post-Primary Election Report on August 25, 2020. The campaign treasurer filed the report one day late. The preliminary penalty is $529.50. The campaign has explained that the late filing was caused by the work and family obligations of the campaign manager and is requesting a waiver of the $529.50 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended reducing the penalty to $350.00.
Decided: To adopt the staff recommendation to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $529.50 to $350 (vote 5-0)
Brian Redmond is a candidate for House District 148. He was required to file a 42-Day Post-Primary Election Report on August 25, 2020. The report was filed on September 1, 2020, seven days late. The preliminary penalty is $84.00. He requests a waiver because he was on vacation without internet access during the week of the deadline. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended not waiving the $84 penalty.
Decided: To impose the statutorily calculated penalty of $84 (vote 5-0)
Mark André is a Maine Clean Election Act candidate for House District 110. He was required to file a 42-Day Post-Primary Election Report on August 25, 2020. The report was filed on August 26, 2020, one day late. The preliminary penalty is $132.00. He requests a waiver due to his treasurer being unexpectedly called away for work. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended not waiving the $132 preliminary penalty.
Decided: To impose the statutorily calculated penalty of $132 (vote 4-0 (Mr. Lee recused himself from consideration of this matter))
On August 25, 2020, the Don’t Tread on Maine PAC was required to file a 42-Day Post-Primary Report. The report was filed on August 27, 2020, and disclosed expenditure activity of $1,350. The PAC requests a waiver of the $54 preliminary penalty. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends not waiving the $54 penalty. The following items that were originally scheduled for the September 30, 2020 Commission Meeting have been postponed to the October 16, 2020 Commission Meeting:
On July 3, 2020, the Women’s Leadership Fund paid $2,500 for the production of a video communication that was subsequently circulated by Facebook. The PAC’s treasurer filed a 24-Hour Report on July 4. On July 6, the Commission staff advised the treasurer that the video would be presumed to be an independent expenditure (IE) because the video contained footage of a legislative candidate. The treasurer filed an IE Report later that day, which was two days after the filing deadline. The PAC seeks a waiver of the $100 preliminary penalty because its treasurer attempted to comply with reporting requirements but was unaware of the IE presumption.
Decided: To find a violation of the independent expenditure reporting requirement but, because there was virtually no harm to the public, to reduce the statutorily calculated penalty of $100 to $50. (vote 3-0)
Stan Gerzofsky was a candidate in the July 14, 2020 Democratic primary election for State Senate, District 24. The Commission has determined that he was four days late filing a pre-primary campaign finance report due on July 6, 2020. The preliminary penalty is $390.50. Mr. Gerzofsky requests a waiver of the preliminary penalty based on mitigating circumstances involving his health.
Maine Street Solutions – Protect Schools is a ballot question committee (BQC) that opposed the March 3, 2020 people’s veto referendum to repeal an expansion of vaccine requirements. On February 5, 2020, the BQC received a contribution of $250,000. The BQC was required to send a notice to the contributor within five days that the contributor must file a major contributor report, but the BQC was one day late in providing the notice to the contributor. The preliminary penalty for providing the notice late was $25,000 (ten percent of the contribution). The BQC requests a waiver of the penalty because the delayed notice resulted from a misunderstanding of the deadline and the one-day delay result…
Decided: Accept the Commission staff recommendation of reducing the statutorily calculated penalty of $25,000 to $2,000. (vote 3-0)
Eliza Donohue, the lobbyist for Maine Audubon, was required to file a monthly lobbyist report on February 18, 2020 covering the month of January. She attempted to file the report on the afternoon of February 11, but the Commission’s efiling system did not record the report as being filed that day. After returning from vacation, she saw reminder emails and filed the report on February 24. Ms. Donohue requests a waiver of the $100 late-filing penalty because she made a good faith effort to file the report.
Decided: Reduce the statutorily calculated penalty by 50% and impose a penalty of $50. (vote 3-0)
The Commission may consider findings of violations and potential penalties against candidates who have failed to register with the Commission. This matter may be continued until the Commission’s June 24 meeting.
Decided: Assess a penalty of $100 against Edward Cohen for failure to register as a candidate with the Commission as required by law. (vote 3-0)
Mainers for Local Power PAC (opposing the NECEC) was late in providing written notices to two contributors that they qualified as “major contributors” and were required to file reports with the Commission. The preliminary penalties for providing the late written notices total $53,431. Mainers for Local Power requests a waiver of the penalties because the PAC was unaware of the new disclosure requirement and did not see a reference to it in the Commission’s guidance materials.
Decided: To adopt the staff recommendation to impose a penalty of $2,500. (vote 3-0)
The Commission will receive an update on the financial disclosure statements and fundraising by the inaugural committee of Gov. Janet T. Mills, and may take action concerning the committee’s acceptance of donations after the January 31 fundraising limitation in Title 1, § 1051(4).
Unite Portland was a political action committee formed to oppose Ethan Strimling’s re-election as Mayor of Portland in the November 5, 2019 election. The PAC was late in filing two independent expenditure reports (IE) for Facebook advertisements and advocacy videos posted on the PAC’s website and Facebook page. The preliminary late-filing penalties total $7,052.16. The PAC requests a waiver of the late-filing penalties, explaining that the PAC’s principal officer and treasurer were unaware of the need to file IE reports in addition to the PAC’s regular campaign finance reports. Ethan Strimling’s campaign argues for a penalty of $29,551.68. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends reducing …
Philip Spiller was a candidate for Mayor of Westbrook in the November 5, 2019 election. He was late in filing three 24-Hour Reports. The municipal clerk advised him of the preliminary penalties totaling $2,395.28, and referred the matter to the Commission for consideration of a penalty waiver. Mr. Spiller requests a waiver of the penalties, because he was a first-time candidate who took over the treasurer’s duties unexpectedly. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommends reducing the three penalties to a total of $900.
Cathy Nichols ran for State Senate, District 25 in the 2018 general election. On October 30, 2018, her campaign purchased a campaign mailing for $3,900. She was required to disclose this expenditure the next day in a 24-Hour Report, but did not file it until December 18, 2018. The preliminary penalty for filing the report 48 days late is $3,744. The candidate requested a waiver because she misunderstood the 24-hour reporting requirement and the stressful conditions during the last two weeks before the general election.
Decided: To adopt the staff recommendation of a civil penalty of $400. (vote 4-0)
James LaBrecque was a candidate for State Senate in the 2018 general election. During the evening of December 18, 2018, his treasurer entered expenditures in the Commission’s efiling system in order to file the 42-Day Post-General Report, but he was unable to file the report by the 11:59 p.m. deadline because he was using the candidate’s username and password. He filed the report the next day (one day late) after calling the Commission office for assistance. The LaBrecque campaign requested a waiver of the $235.03 preliminary penalty.
Decided: To adopt the statutorily calculated penalty of $235.03 as recommended by Commission Staff. (vote 4-0)
In 2018, Mark Remick was a candidate for State Representative in District 132. On October 30 and November 1, 2018, his campaign ordered radio ads and mailers with a value of $1,602.69 and $1,180.00, respectively. He was required to report each debt the next day in a 24-Hour Report. He reported the expenditures after the election on December 7, 2018, when he paid for the services. The preliminary penalties for the two late reports total $2,011.85. The candidate requested a waiver because he thought expenditures only needed to be reported when invoices were paid.
Decided: To adopt the staff recommendation of a civil penalty of $400 total for the violations. (vote 4-0)
On November 1, 2019, the New Mainers PAC received two contributions of $5,000 and $7,000. The PAC was required to disclose them the next day in a 24-Hour Report. Unaware of the requirement, the PAC filed the 24-Hour Report on December 17, 2018 when it was preparing the regularly scheduled 42-day post-general election report. The preliminary penalty is $10,000, and the PAC requested a waiver due to the inexperience of the PAC leaders and the small degree of harm to the public.
Decided: To adopt the staff recommendation of $1,000 for the late filing. (vote 4-0)