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Gideon’s shuttered PAC fined $500 over reimbursements

The panel’s chairman, William Lee, said Wednesday the fine underscores the importance of following election law, even if there was no attempt to deceive the public.

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Ethics Commission has imposed a $500 fine on House Speaker Sara Gideon’s now-shuttered political action committee over reimbursements made to her in 2016.

The panel’s chairman, William Lee, said Wednesday the fine underscores the importance of following election law, even if there was no attempt to deceive the public.

Former state Sen. Edward Youngblood, a Republican from Brewer, filed the complaint after learning the Gideon Leadership PAC reimbursed Gideon for two, $250 donations to two other political action committees. Those reimbursements were disclosed in state filings.

The fine, imposed on a 3-0 vote, ends the case that arose as Gideon seeks the Democratic nomination to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in 2020. Gideon’s spokeswoman said the commission agreed to close the matter that was driven by “national Republicans.” 

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