AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The Attorney General and Kennebec County District Attorney say there will not be any criminal charges against Governor Paul LePage in connection with the Goodwill-Hinckley school situation.
One of the big questions surrounding the whole Goodwill Hinckley investigation has been whether any laws were broken. Now the legal opinion from the Attorney General is – no.
Three state representatives had asked Attorney General Janet Mills and Kennebec County DA Meaghan Maloney to investigate bringing criminal charges against the Governor for what they called abuse of power and "official oppression".
In a letter to the representatives and legislative leaders on Tuesday, the Attorney General says the term "abuse of power " doesn't show up in the Maine Criminal Code. She also says there isn't evidence the Governor committed an actual crime.
"Even though conduct may be viewed as offensive or inappropriate," wrote Mills, " it will not rise to the level of criminal wrongdoing if it does not satisfy the specific elements that constitute a criminal offense as defined by the code."
Mills goes on to say, "My Office has carefully reviewed all available information and all relevant provisions of the Criminal Code, including "official oppression", and concludes that there is not basis at this time for us to pursue a criminal investigation."
Rep. Jeff Evangelos (I-Friendship), one of the leaders of the impeachment effort, says he thinks the Attorney General is wrong, that there were crimes involved, and he plans to keep pushing for an impeachment debate on the House Floor.
While Republicans are generally united in their belief that there is no basis for impeachment, there is apparently no agreement among Democrats on the issue.
House Democratic Leader Jeff McCabe told NEWS CENTER he wanted the Governor "held accountable" for what he did to Goodwill-Hinckley and Eves, and for other actions. But he admits that even in his party, there are some who agree with impeachment and some who don't.
McCabe says they could have a debate and vote criticizing the Governor in the House and Senate, but it would not be impeachment. He says Democrats, who are the majority in the House, haven't decided what to do. That decision may not be made until close to January 6, when the new Legislative session begins.
