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.
On July 8, 2026, Assistant House Republican Leader Katrina Smith submitted a letter to the Ethics Commission concerning House Speaker Ryan Fecteau’s new employment. Her letter was shared with two news organizations which published online articles the next day. Speaker Fecteau requests that the Commission investigate whether Rep. Smith knowingly violated the confidentiality restrictions for legislative ethics complaints by sharing her July 8 letter with the press.
Decided: To take no further action on the complaint. (vote 4-0)
Representative Richard Campbell submitted a May 4, 2026 bank statement documenting that $7,232.71 was in his campaign bank account. That balance agrees with the ending balance of his 2024 campaign. Commission staff recommends no further investigation of Rep. Campbell’s 2024 campaign finance reporting.
Decided: To take no further action on the matter (vote 4-0)
In April, the Commission received a complaint asking the Commission to investigate whether the Cape Elizabeth school department qualified as a ballot question committee with respect to 2024 and 2025 school construction referenda. The school department responded that advertising in the local newspaper was to engage and educate members of the public, consistent with direction from the School Board and Town Council. The Commission will review legal memos concerning the applicability of the ballot question committee reporting requirements to municipal entities. Additional Material - Lynch-Benoit Response
Decided: To take no further action on the complaint (vote 4-0)
The Commission received a complaint concerning paid communications to voters opposing a referendum on the November 5, 2024 town ballot in Bar Harbor. Commission staff gathered preliminary information concerning the expenditures for the communications. Staff recommendation: based on the preliminary information received, Commission staff recommends taking no action on the complaint.
Decided: To take no further action on this matter (vote 4-0)
Caribou resident Ginette Rivard filed a complaint alleging that the Aroostook County Republican Committee paid for radio ads to support Ms. Susan Bernard’s campaign for the State Senate. As a Maine Clean Election Candidate, she is prohibited from receiving donations from outside sources except for independent expenditures or party candidate listings as permitted by law. Ms. Rivard asks the Commission to investigate the radio expenses made by the committee.
Decided: To take no further action on this complaint (vote 4-0)
Cape Elizabeth resident Elizabeth Bierman filed a complaint questioning whether a mailer sent by CapeVoters who are opposing the school bond referendum on November 5, 2024, requires a 24-Hour Report, and the costs of the website that have not yet been disclosed on the committee’s campaign finance reports.
Decided: To take no further action on this complaint (vote 4-0)
Mr. William Clardy requests that the Commission investigate whether legal services received by State Senator Troy Jackson are a gift from his attorney which Sen. Jackson should have disclosed in his annual sources of income statements. He responds they are not a gift because he agreed to pay the law firm under a contingent fee agreement. Mr. Clardy also asks the Commission to investigate whether the law firm was required to file a report with the Commission because it made expenditures on behalf of Sen. Jackson. The Commission may consider part of this item in executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. § 1013(3-A). Staff recommendation: Commission staff recommends taking no action on the complai…
Decided: To take no further action on both matters. (vote 5-0)
State Representative John Andrews has requested that the Commission investigate whether State Senator Troy Jackson submitted a false address in filings to the Commission because of the Senator’s ownership of a property in Augusta for roughly two years in 2019-2021. Senator Jackson has responded that because his home in Allagash, Maine is 300 miles from the state capital, he purchased a house in Augusta as a temporary place to stay to facilitate performing his public duties as State Senator and President of the Maine Senate. Staff recommendation: Commission staff recommends no further investigation.
Decided: To take no further action on this matter. (vote 5-0)
William Clardy filed a complaint against the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which is a national organization that supports Democratic candidates for legislative office. He contends that the organization should have registered as a PAC due to its contributions to Maine PACs, online fundraising, and websites promoting Democratic candidates.
Decided: That the Commission did not receive enough information to demonstrate the DLCC must register as a PAC. (vote 5-0)
Rep. Shelley Rudnicki filed a complaint alleging her 2022 general election opponent, Robert Sezak, paid $7,341 to a vendor for four mailings that were never sent. She suggests the vendor used Mr. Sezak’s funds for communications in other legislative districts. In response, Mr. Sezak and the vendor provided statements from the U.S. Postal Service documenting its receipt of four mailings of 2,250 pieces and samples of actual mail received within Mr. Sezak’s district. Staff recommendation: the staff recommends taking no further action on this matter.
Decided: To take no further action on the complaint as there are no grounds to show that a violation occurred. (vote 5-0)
The congressional campaign committee of Bruce Poliquin has requested a determination that the costs of a television advertisement are not independent expenditures in support of Paul LePage, who was a candidate for Governor. The ad contains brief footage of Bruce Poliquin and Paul LePage walking together, but otherwise does not promote Mr. LePage.
Decided: To find that the television advertisement was not an independent expenditure. (vote 5-0)
The Commission will continue considering contributions reported by the Maine Families First PAC and the timeliness of an independent expenditure report filed by the PAC.
Decided: To suspend the investigation and take no further action on this matter. (vote 5-0)
First Television Advertisement Radio Advertisement Additional Materials - Second Television Advertisement Second Television Advertisement The congressional campaign committee of Bruce Poliquin has requested a determination by the Commission that the costs of a television and radio advertisement are not independent expenditures. Both ads contain references to Paul LePage who is running for a third term as Governor, but do not refer to him as a candidate or expressly advocate for his election. The Poliquin Committee explains that its intention is to promote Mr. Poliquin, not any other candidate. Because these ads are being broadcast after Labor Day and refer to Mr. LePage, the Poliquin Committ…
Decided: That this advertisement is not determined to be an independent expenditure (vote 5-0)
On September 19, 2022, the Maine First Project non-profit corporation disseminated a mailer to South Portland residents discussing immigration concerns and requesting donations. The mailer mentions Governor Janet Mills, who is running for reelection. Because the mailings were sent after Labor Day and refer to Governor Mills, Maine First Project is seeking a determination from the Commission that the mailing costs are not independent expenditures under Maine Election Law.
Decided: That this advertisement is not determined to be an independent expenditure (vote 3-2)
On June 3, 2022 and June 6, 2022, Brookfield White Pine Hydro (BWPH) began disseminating communications – a digital video advertisement and radio advertisement, respectively – featuring Governor Janet Mills. Because the communications were disseminated within the 28 days prior to the June 14th primary election, and Governor Mills is running for reelection, BWPH requests a determination from the Commission that its communications are not to be considered independent expenditures. BWPH submitted comments in early June to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection surrounding the issues in this communication.
Decided: A finding that the communications in this case are not an independent expenditure and that BHPH has successfully rebutted the presumption. (vote 5-0)
On May 24, 2022 and May 26, 2022, Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund (PPMAF) began disseminating communications – a digital video advertisement and radio advertisement, respectively – featuring Governor Janet Mills. Because the communications were disseminated within the 28 days prior to the June 14th primary election, and Governor Mills is running for reelection, PPMAF requests a determination from the Commission that its communications are not to be considered independent expenditures.
Decided: A finding that the communications in this case are not an independent expenditure and that PPMAF has successfully rebutted the presumption. (vote 5-0)
Mr. Charles Veeder has filed a complaint asserting that State Senate candidate Michael Tipping violated the Maine Clean Election Act because of his involvement in a postcard mailing by a PAC affiliated with the Maine People’s Alliance. Mr. Tipping is employed by the organization. Mr. Tipping responds he was not involved in the mailing. He has submitted a signed 2021 agreement between himself and his supervisor that he would not participate in any communications that would be relevant to his election.
Decided: To take no further action on the complaint due to insufficient evidence. (vote 4-0)
In preparation for items that may be scheduled later in 2022, the Commission staff will provide an overview of the Maine Clean Election Act program, including the policy on when candidates may fix qualifying contributions that are defective. No action is required by the Commission.
Decided: There are insufficient grounds to commence an investigation of the complaint against a legislator. (vote 5-0)
Michael G. Hein filed a complaint arguing that the Dinner Table PAC did not correctly disclose the employment information for five of its contributors in the PAC’s January 2022 quarterly report. Staff recommendation: the staff recommended taking no action on the complaint.
Decided: To dismiss the complaint based on the evidence presented by the PAC of having complied with the statutes and rules. (vote 5-0)
Decided: To find there are insufficient grounds to request the Commission staff conduct an investigation of the complaint filed by Clean Energy Matters against Say No to NECEC. (vote 4-1 (Mr. Marble opposed))
The Center for Media and Democracy has filed a complaint against legislative candidates in Maine and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) alleging that ALEC made contributions of valuable campaign software to the candidates that violated restrictions on contributions. The two candidates identified in the complaint acknowledge that they had access to the software as part of their ALEC membership but state that they have never used the software for campaigning or any other purpose.
Decided: Find insufficient grounds to conduct any investigation of Senator Stewart and Representative Harrington for the violations alleged by Center for Media and Democracy. (vote 5-0)
The Commission received a complaint against the Sanford Democratic Committee asserting that the committee should have filed campaign finance reports during 2020 because it had received an in-kind contribution of office space. The committee responds that it did not receive or pay for the office space and has not met the $1,500 financial threshold to file reports. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended taking no further action on the complaint.
Decided: Based on the evidence presented, there is insufficient grounds to support an investigation of the complaint made by the Sanford Republican Committee. (vote 5-0)
In September 2020, the Lincoln County Democratic Committee filed a complaint with the Commission concerning telephone calls made to voters in State Senate District 13. The committee contended the calls were a push poll that violated disclosure requirements in Maine Election Law. Two political action committees acting for the Senate Republican caucus have responded that the calls were part of telephone survey and therefore were exempt from the disclosure requirements. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended taking no further action on the complaint.
Decided: For the reasons stated by the Commissioners, that there be no further investigation of the complaint filed by the Lincoln County Democratic Committee. (vote 5-0)
On December 28, 2020, the Commission received a complaint by the Clean Energy Matters political action committee (PAC) against the two PACs promoting a citizen initiative to oppose the New England Clean Energy Connect project (NECEC). The complaint alleged that the two PACs had failed to report any compensation or expenditure reimbursements paid to Ms. Sandra Howard, who was actively involved in organizing the petitioning for the initiative. Ms. Howard and the two PACs responded that she was not being compensated and that No CMP Corridor PAC would be reporting all expense reimbursements it makes to Ms. Howard. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended against conducting an inves…
Decided: There were insufficient grounds to conduct an investigation in the complaint that has been made against No CMP Corridor and Say No to NECEC (vote 5-0)
On October 19, 2020, Maine First Project, a non-profit organization led by Rep. Larry Lockman, sent two mailers discussing education policy that, among other things, included references to candidates for the Maine House of Representatives. Because the candidates are specifically mentioned in a paid communication disseminated after Labor Day, the communications are presumed to be independent expenditures. Maine First Project has filed a statement to rebut the presumption stating that the communications were not intended to influence the candidates’ election.
Decided: To find that Rep. Lockman had successfully rebutted the presumption and that the publications that were disseminated were not made as independent expenditures (vote 5-0)
Mr. Rommy Haines of Fort Fairfield filed a complaint alleging that in 2018-2019 State Rep. Trey Stewart of Presque Isle directed the Star City PAC to reimburse him for tires, vehicle maintenance, and clothing in violation of Maine law. The PAC reported these expenses as related to Rep. Stewart’s work in Augusta and campaign travel around the state. Since December 2018, Rep. Stewart has served as the assistant leader of the House Republican caucus.
Decided: To conduct no further investigation as there are insufficient grounds presented in the complaint. (vote 5-0)
The Scarborough Town Democratic Committee filed a complaint alleging that the Republican nominee in House District 29, Annalee Rosenblatt, paid for a mailing critical of her opponent that did not include the required “paid for” disclaimer statement. Ms. Rosenblatt responds that the mailing was sent by her former campaign treasurer after he resigned from her campaign, and she did not know about the mailing. Staff recommendation: the Commission staff recommended taking no further action on the complaint.
Decided: To find insufficient grounds to authorize an investigation of the complaint against Ms. Rosenblatt. (vote 5-0)