June 11, 2021 Commission Meeting

Agenda (128.45 KB)
Minutes (180.75 KB)

Note:  Due to COVID-19 precautions, the Commission’s office is not open to the public.  The meeting will be conducted through Zoom video conferencing and streamed to YouTube for the public to access.  To watch the live stream of the June 11, 2021 Commission Meeting, please click this link.

1.  Complaint Alleging a Legislative Conflict of Interest

The Commission will meet in executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. § 1013(3-A) to consider whether to take action on a complaint alleging that a Legislator engaged in a violation of legislative ethics as defined in 1 M.R.S. § 1014(1).

Motion:  To go into executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA § 1013 (3-A) and 1 MRSA § 1005 to discuss a complaint against a legislator alleging a violation of legislative ethics.
Made by:  Mr. Lee
Seconded by:  Mr. Hastings
Vote:  5-0

Motion:  There are insufficient grounds to commence an investigation of the complaint that a legislator has violated legislative ethics.
Made by:  Mr. Lee
Seconded by:  Mr. Schneider
Vote:  5-0

2.  Legal Objections to Subpoenas for Documents – Investigation of Stop the Corridor

Stop the Corridor has objected to a second investigative subpoena to produce records.  The Commission will consider the objections as a petition to vacate or modify the subpoena under 5 M.R.S. § 9060(1)(C).  In addition, the Commission will consider a petition to vacate a subpoena for records which the Commission issued to another political consulting firm.  Part of the consideration of this item may be conducted in executive session pursuant to 1 M.R.S. § 405(6)(F) and 21-A M.R.S. § 1003(3-A).

Motion:  To go into executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA §1005 & 1 MRSA §405(6)(F) to discuss records made confidential by statute relating to Stop the Corridor’s objections to a records subpoena and to consider the petition to vacate a subpoena filed by another consulting firm which has stated it believes its name is confidential.
Made by:  Mr. Lee
Seconded by:  Mr. Marble
Vote:  5-0

Motion:  To deny the request to vacate the subpoena issued to a political consulting firm on the grounds that, by statute, the subpoena may be served outside of Maine and administrative subpoenas need not follow procedures in the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act.
Made by:  Mr. Lee
Seconded by:  Mr. Schneider
Vote:  5-0

Motion:  The political firm provide the information requested in the administrative subpoena served upon it to the Maine Ethics Commission on or before June 25, 2021.
Made by:  Mr. Lee
Seconded by:  Mr. Marble
Vote:  5-0

Motion:  To continue the hearing on the objections made to the subpoena issued to Stop the Corridor to Friday, June 18, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Made by:  Mr. Lee
Seconded by:  Mr. Marble
Vote:  5-0

Other Business:  None
Executive Session:  See above