Is it Time to Open an Ethics Office in Lewiston?

As reported in PolitickerME, David Hughes (R) Lewiston joins Mr. Walcott (D) Lewiston as the latest clean election candidate that failed to account for how he spent taxpayer dollars to run his campaign. And, just in case any of are worried that Mr. Hughes didn’t know – the folks at the Ethics Commission were persistent enough to make calls from bill collectors welcome. Here’s a run down of the helpful reminders from Mr. Wayne:

1. Mr. Hughes got a reminder letter Nov. 13.
2. A call on the due date,
3. A call two days later.
4. A certified letter Dec. 28 warning of penalties – which Hughes signed for.
5. A letter Jan. 2, requesting the report and unspent money,
6. A follow-up call to the latest letter on Jan. 2,
7. Another phone call on Jan. 14,
8. An e-mail on Jan. 14. Certainly no one could accuse the Ethics Commission of failing to protect taxpayer dollars.

Maybe someone over in the Treasurer’s office could hire Mr. Wayne and his bounty hunters--- I mean staff. I'm sure they could get our $20 million dollars back from MainSail.

Mr. Hughes, resistance is futile. If you think Mr. Wayne is tough, just wait until you go in front of the Ethics Commission. Commissioners Friedman, Marsano and Youngblood are unlikely to have any mercy, particularly once Mr. Wayne points out this incident involving your campaign in the 2006 election cycle.

Mr. Hughes received $4,362 in public funds from the state as a House candidate. He understands his obligation to return $140.73 in unspent MCEA funds and has failed to return the money. The staff recommends that the Commission request the Attorney General to file a civil suit against Mr. Hughes to recover the $140.73 in public funds and the $130.86 civil penalty. Mr. Hughes has received ample notice of the obligation: he received pre-deadline notices dated October 1 and November 27, 2006 reminding him of his obligation to return unspent MCEA funds. Candidate Registrar Sandy Thompson left a voicemail message for him on January 9 and talked to him on January 17 in which he acknowledged that he had to return the funds and pay his late filing penalty. The Commission staff sent him personalized letters on January 19 and February 1. Link to report in 2006

Get a lawyer.