The outcomes of two recent Maine conflict-of-interest cases highlight the influe

Randy Billings

Source

Mainebiz

Date

4-30-2012

Pages

1, 18-19

Abstract

The outcomes of two recent Maine conflict-of-interest cases highlight the influence of politics and ambiguous application of ethics in Maine government which may deter business owners from becoming involved with public service in the future. Although Darryl Brown was in the process of selling his land-use consulting company two months after being sworn in as commissioner of Maine's Department of Environmental Protection , he resigned after being ruled "unqualified" to serve by Attorney General William Schneider. After Brown's resignation, five members of the Board of Environmental Protection were also found to be in violation of the state statute, but retained their positions after the Legislature passed emergency legislation LD 1575. State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin, who is constitutionally prohibited from participating in commerce, kept his job after Schneider said he should refrain from engaging in his businesses, the Popham Beach Club and Dirigo Holdings, and not appear before boards as a company representative.

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