October 30, 2019 Commission Meeting

Agenda (PDF) (29.41 KB)

October 30, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.

Location: Commission Office, 45 Memorial Circle, 2nd Floor, Augusta, Maine
Present: William A. Lee III, Esq., Chair; Hon. Richard A. Nass; Bradford A. Pattershall, Esq.
Absent:  Meri N. Lowry (recused)

1.  Ratification of Minutes of September 25, 2019 Meeting

     Motion: To adopt the September 25 minutes.
     Made by: Mr. Nass
     Seconded by: Mr. Pattershall
     Vote: 3-0

2.  Request to Investigate 2015-2016 Contributions by Gideon Leadership PAC

Edward Youngblood has filed a request that the Commission investigate if the Gideon Leadership political action committee violated Maine election law in 2015 and 2016 by making six contributions in the name of Sara Gideon.

     Motion: To not request an investigation be conducted of the complaint involving a violation of legislative ethics because of the statute of limitations.
     Made by: Mr. Lee
     Seconded by: Mr. Pattershall
     Vote: 3-0

     Motion: To find that Sara Gideon and the Gideon Leadership PAC violated 21-A M.R.S. § 1004-A(3) by making a contribution in the name of another.
     Made by: Mr. Nass
     Seconded by: Mr. Lee

     Amended Motion: To find that the Gideon Leadership PAC violated 21-A M.R.S. 
§ 1004-A(3) by making a contribution in the name of another.
     Made by: Mr. Lee
     Seconded by: Mr. Pattershall
     Vote: 3-0

 
     Motion: To assess a $500 penalty.
     Made by: Mr. Nass
     Seconded by: Mr. Pattershall
     Vote: 3-0

Other Business:

The Commissioners discussed the scheduling of the matter regarding the Mills inauguration committee.  The Commission directed Mr. Wayne to send a letter to the committee informing the committee that the Commission will decide whether to find a violation and assess a penalty at the December 18, 2019 meeting.

Mr. Wayne explained to the Commission the extent of preliminary fact-finding the staff would conduct regarding the two complaints regarding the the Portland mayoral election that were referred to the Commission by the City Clerk of Portland.

Executive Session:  None