AUGUSTA - Maine's Office of the Attorney General released its report this week to the Maine Legislature's Veterans and Legal Affairs (VLA) Committee outlining how the Maine National Guard investigated and prosecuted allegations of sexual assault and harassment over a five-year period. Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, who introduced the legislation authorizing the report, issued the following statement:
"I have reviewed the Attorney General's report, and I have requested that the chairs of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee schedule a public briefing with the Attorney General to publicly discuss the findings," said Rielly. "It is absolutely crucial that the Legislature continues to support members of the Maine National Guard and veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma along with improving systems of accountability and prevention. I have further questions and concerns regarding the report, and I look forward to hearing from Attorney General Frey at the briefing."
This legislative session, Rielly is sponsoring legislation to further address military sexual trauma through the implementation of recommendations from the Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma.
"I have worked with the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Sisters in Arms on legislation that will build on the advisory council's recommendations and address data collection and reporting issues. I look forward to my bill's public hearing later this session."
LD 625, which was signed into law in June 2021, directed the Maine Adjutant General to submit a report outlining current practices and providing recommendations for legislation regarding the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of sexual assault and harassment cases by members of the Maine National Guard.
In response to Rielly's bill, Gov. Janet Mills established the Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma via Executive Order which met over the course of three months to determine their joint recommendations.
Due to additional work done by survivors of military sexual assault, LD 2029 was introduced and signed into law, which required, at Rielly's request, that the Maine Adjutant General and the Maine Attorney General submit additional individual reports to the VLA Committee by February 15, 2023 with their findings and recommendations.
Rielly is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the VLA Committee. He represents House District 127, which includes a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Rielly], 305-965-2744