(NEWS CENTER Maine) --Portland mayor Ethan Strimling apologized Tuesday for approving a contract in February with Waterfront Concerts, whose embattled owner pleaded guilty to domestic assault charges four months prior.
The city council is taking a second look at the contract with Waterfront Concerts for a permit at the Maine State Pier, which Portland owns and operates, to bring in 15 to 16 concerts during the 2018 summer season.
Waterfront Concerts owner and president Alex Gray pleaded guilty in October 2017 to domestic abuse of his then-girlfriend earlier that year, but said he disagreed with the details of what happened that night, calling his guilty plea a "compromise."
His former girlfriend, Erica Cole, wrote a blog post chastising both cities of Portland and Bangor for continuing to do business with Gray despite knowledge of his guilty plea. She told Mayor Strimling the letter was months in the making.
"By continuing to do business with Alex Gray and his companies, you are sending a message that domestic violence is acceptable in Portland. You are also setting an example for young men and women that—in the city of Portland—money trumps morality," she wrote.
"I think we failed her. I think we failed women who have been in domestic violence situations in the city," said Mayor Strimling.
The city council voted unanimously in February to proceed with a contract with Waterfront Concerts. According to city spokesperson Jessica Grondin, that contract has not been finalized.
"Now we're going to go back and have that conversation -- the one that we should have had before, and it's thanks to [Cole] that that's happening," said Mayor Strimling.
When asked about navigating the ethical dilemma combined with the possible financial hit the city could take by losing the concerts, Strimling said, "it's not hard to balance. Our values are our most important part of our city and there are thousands of great business people in this city who don't have criminal records, who haven't committed domestic violence against women."
Gray did not respond to request for comment.
Waterfront Concerts also brings shows to the city of Bangor. Cole said in her letter that the city is considering an extension of its deal with the company.
City manager Cathy Conlow and city councilor Ben Sprague did not respond to requests for comment.
If the Portland city council votes to not finalize the deal with Waterfront Concerts surrounding the Maine State Pier, the company would be responsible for refunding people who have already purchased tickets to the four shows planned there.
Mayor Strimling said the council could begin discussions on if they wish to end business with the company altogether.