AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s attorney general issued an opinion late Friday that advises State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin to “disassociate” himself from much of his business dealings while in office.
The five-page opinion from Attorney General William Schneider was in response to a request sent three weeks ago by state Rep. Mark Dion, D-Portland, to determine whether Poliquin had violated the state Constitution.
Dion alleged that Poliquin, as sole owner of the private Popham Beach Club, engaged in commerce, which appears to violate Article V, Part 3 Sec. 3 of the Maine Constitution.
Schneider wrote that the section of the constitution is “general and without limitation” but did not indicate whether he thought Poliquin violated the Constitution.
He did offer an opinion of what Poliquin should do next.
“With respect to the Treasurer, any activities related to the active management of stock or
other ownership interests should be handled by third persons in the absence of any authority
suggesting that such activities are acceptable when undertaken directly,” Schneider wrote. “During the Treasurer’s term in office he should take steps to disassociate himself from the active management of any of the entities in which he is invested and any entities in which he is the sole owner or principal or agent.
“Furthermore, he should not appear before any governmental bodies on behalf of entities that he owns.”
Poliquin late last year appeared before Phippsburg selectmen and the planning board to seek approval to expand the uses of a private beach club there. His application was approved.
Attempts to reach Poliquin at his office late Friday were not successful. The treasurer has not directly addressed questions about the constitutionality of his business dealings.
Earlier this week, Dion presented more evidence that Poliquin has been engaging in commerce. He said Poliquin, as sole owner and operator of Dirigo Holdings LLC, has been actively marketing and selling real estate.
Popham Woods, a condominium development offered by Dirigo Holdings, offers free membership in the Popham Beach Club included with purchase, a $2,000-per-year value.
In his opinion, Attorney General Schneider reiterated that the beach club is owned by Poliquin and that “all revenues and expenses of the Club are attributed personally to Mr. Poliquin.”
“Documents on file with the Maine Secretary of State indicate that Bruce L. Poliquin is the Clerk/Registered Agent and that the management of the Company is vested in the members,” the opinion said of Dirigo Holdings. “Mr. Poliquin has stated that he is the sole member of the Company.”
Shortly after Dion’s initial complaint last month, the Maine Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Maine Ethics Commission alleging that Poliquin violated ethics laws by not disclosing his business dealings.
The Ethics Commission is expected to take up that complaint later this month, but Poliquin filed a written response late last week in which he admitted that he didn’t disclose all his business dealings but insisted he did nothing wrong.
In the response, Poliquin disclosed his involvement with Dirigo Holdings, but said it’s simply an investment and that he is not directly involved with operations.
“Other than periodically providing funds for payment of expenses and periodically consulting with the manager/bookkeeper, who oversees the operation and management of Dirigo Holdings, LLC and Popham Woods Condominium, I am not engaged in the operations or management of these real estate investments,” he wrote.
Poliquin also said he didn’t disclose Dirigo Holdings initially because it didn’t make any money in 2010.
Dion said Friday that the attorney general’s opinion validated his concerns.
“If you read between the lines here, the attorney general indicates that Poliquin’s actions on behalf of the Popham Beach Club should’ve never happened and that he must take the next step to create a blind trust for his involvement in the real estate development company,” he said.
The state treasurer has endured criticism lately on a number of fronts.
Aside from the initial complaint by Dion and the subsequent complaint by the Maine Democratic Party, Poliquin has faced questions about enrolling most of his multimillion-dollar Georgetown property in the state’s tree growth program.
Last week, the nonprofit group Maine’s Majority questioned Poliquin’s enrollment of 10 acres into the tree growth program, a move that saved him thousands of dollars in property taxes each year.
A requirement of enrollment in the tree growth program is that the landowner must adopt sustainable, commercial timber harvesting practices on the property. Yet, his deed seems to prohibit timber harvesting.
The Board of Selectmen in Georgetown are expected to debate Poliquin’s tree growth management plan at a meeting next week.
And, is the directive just staying in line with “bipartisanship” on the attorney general’s part? We must stay in lockstep with the D’s who are not in control, but are. Bruce Poliquin would have checked out everything before running for governor, let alone taking on the State of Maine Treasurer’s position, during which time he has exposed more than the moderates and liberals can handle.
Bruce Poliquin is nothing but a candidate who lost. And he is also a representative of the current administration’s eventual downfall. He is not acting independently, as he is obligated, he is acting politically, which is not what the Attorney General’s office is meant to be. Why do you think that the Legislature nominates, votes, and places this person in their office? It’s so the Executive doesn’t influence them, but it’s simply not what is happening now, the executive , without any doubt has influence over this man.
He “advised” the Treasurer to disassociate himself from business dealings? That’s all he has? That’s his ruling? On a Maine constitutional question…..he “advises” to dissociate”?
Is he going to provide a legal ruling? Is he going to at least act like a lawyer?
“Dissociate”? that means what..?…………don’t do that any more and we will leave you alone?
Screw the Maine constitution, just don’t do that any more. What a farce.
If I remember correctly, the question was; did his action result in a constitutionally restricted behavior? And we get at ” don’t do that anymore”!?
They are both Constitutionally, elected officers of the State of Maine, Constitutionally does not include the word politically and collaborative. It involves the words of trust given to them by the people of Maine.
This obviously must fall upon the Legislative leadership. They elected both of these gentlemen into office, and both were sworn to upohold our state’s standards.
In my mind it means-
Dont engage in business dealings as it violate constitutional provisions regarding your position of State Treasurer. Poloquin has been told to stop.
I suppose it could have been worded in a way that said- Bruce Poloquin was engaging in business dealings that he is prohibited from engaging in due to constitutional rules regarding his postion as state treasurer.
Its a rule violation. That is apparent. But are we really discussing a civil rights issue here or a major violation of the law, felony behavior? Perhaps you think we are.
Violation of State Constitution is a little more than a rule violation.
Honestly I do not believe Mr Poliquin violated the constitution intentionnally. Do we throw him in jail or force him to resign ? No but he needs to decide if he wants to be Treasurer or run his business.
But this bungling by the Attorney General is mind boogling. Three weeks to come up with an advisement? Let ‘s hope nothing more pressing comes up while he serves.
We seem to mostly agree. He was doing something he shouldnt be doing and has been told to stop doing it. If must comply with regulations if he wants to be Treasurer. I do find the fact that some posters seem to think this is a huge miscarriage of justice worthy of execution a bit over the top.
I dont think the AG bungled anything but was rather very acted very deliberately and carefully in this matter. Every legal dealing I have been involved in has been very slow and deliberate as well.
There is always the question Sal? Does he obligate his services to this state?, which is what the oath that he took? Or does he donate his services to this governor, who in my opinion, is not working for what the state has always demonstrated: compromise and independence? Agreeing to disagree, and then working things out? Both of them are elected by our legislator’s, both of them have taken oaths, why are they being called upon to protect one or another if something isn’t correct?
You sound like you must have some of the same issues with yourself.
What do you mean? Legal Dealings? Well yes, I have some experience in those. In my experience they move slow and everyone acts in a very deliberate way.
An ethical violation by a person in a position of responsibility should always be considered as something serious. The prohibition against the Treasurer being materially involved in business is there for a reason. Perhaps Poliquin did not (yet) benefit in any way from having this double interest. How much more serious should the AG’s ruling have been if Poliquin had possibly have benefited in a small way? What if he had benefited in a larger way?
Who knows what Poliquin’s intentions were? Who cares? The man has claimed ignorance of a law he had a responsibility to comply with. We have a right to expect more from our treasurer.
Your response is the most logical one I have read so far.
I agree, but we do need to make him accountable for the document that he is sworn to uphold. This needs to be a pressing issue, because, the intent of our constitution is at stake here.
You cannot, and should think that you hold an office, that you are able to think you are above state laws. Since they both were elected by the Legislature, they seem to think that that have autonomy, they don’t. Now they are accountable to each other, us, the Legislature, and the governor? How’s that working?
Thank you! A common sense analysis. You won’t see many of those here!
what ever happend to tar and feathers. He and his buddy need a dose
Well stated. It’s not rocket science. Both the AG and the Treasurer serve at the pleasure of the Legislature, hence, the electorate, which means, us.
redact, repetitive….
Hey folks, its over, done, ended. They all walk hand in hand. Hey I know a guy that bought a bottle of beer with his food benifit. omg. call out the cops, get the govenor up, get the dogs on his trail, wheres the helicoptors, load up your shotguns, tell the judge we will get him and will do it now. HMMMMM sound right?
It was believed he was in violation of a rule(not a law). His alleged rule violation was investigated. He was told that he appeared to be breaking a rule. He was told to stop engaging in business. What more do you want to happen?
Maybe we should just tell armed Bank Robbers, Drug Dealers and Arsonists to Stop It!
Those things are crimes, felonies. Is being in violation of a rule in regards to conducting business while Treasurer of Maine a felony, or any type of crime at all?
Perhaps in your opinion it should be a crime on the level with the crimes you mention.
Ok, so just tell people to stop selling cocaine. Same difference.
Electeed only by the Legistlature, not the voters. Therein lies the problem.
Time to start a recall petition for AG Schneider, eh?
Go ahead, waste your time. Maine has no mechanism to recall anyone.
Not yet……it’s gonna be an issue though.
But it will require a change to the Maine Constitution.
yes it will. It’s going to require, in my opinion that we elect a Lt. Governor to serve four years, who runs independently from the Governor. That person, will also serve as the Sec. of State.
The other change will be that the electorate has a recall option on the executive, in the event of a positive recall, the Lt. Gov. serves as governor until the next general election. No more President of the Sentate being the next governor, it wasn’t that long ago that there was 2 Senate President’s.
It’s time to get real, with our government, and our current governor.
Then go and start gathering the necessary 56,555 votes times two (you want to change the Maine Constitution in two places which will require two questions)
Rus, you be careful here. You’re beginning to make sense. And to far more people than you realize.
Only for you and Cindy Dill!
You, again, have demonstrated your ability to say absolutely nothing about the article posted. You no longer amaze me with your ineptitude, you amuse me with your incompetent guile.
Cindy Dill? I’m from Greenville!! why on earth would I side with her? I don’t even know her! I do get a kick out of making a fool out of you.
Millinocket deserves everything and no one else should get a thing, type of guy…….that’s so fun to play with.
Its ALWAYS been that way for the rockets in Millinocket!
politicians should be squeeky clean. what happend?
you can only hope NoPark…….but, guess what happens? When people are not happy, they tend to….vote! In my opinion, I think the citizens of the state should vote whether or not to continue to allow the Nockets to slide with all the subsidy’s, and take that money where it’s much more accountable. I don’t think the state should own the Dolby Landfill, because we don’t use it! Imagine that little piece of reality……
And again, he is the consummate poster of monosyllabic nothingness.
By the way NoPark, monosyllabic means a one word sentence, and your’s is always …NO. Of course, unless it involves the Nocket’s, then it’s “by all means”…..we deserve it.
An issue with who Liberals. Who think they still run things here in Maine. When Libby Mitchell and Hannah Pingree kept using their office to form pacs and hold meetings at the state house with corporations to fight referendums they didn’t like. When a few conservatives and independents complained when they were making profits and giving special deals and contracts to these corporations. Did Janet Mills do anything back then no she let it slide when everyone knows it’s illegal. Now they are attacking Bruce Poliquin because he is an easy target of the Libs . What has he done that is illegal ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!. The Liberals want to do everything they can to try to make issues out of nothing because they have no record to run on. They can run on what they have done in the legislature from past history because lately they have done nothing to help Republicans get things done. All they do is complain , cry and try causing trouble with anyone. Their past history we all know how abysmal things have been for 40 years. So they gotta try running off cabinet members, constitutional officers etc.. That is their only hope left.
Ah, DK, don’t you think that we should focus on those that are in office? Last time I knew, Libby Mitchell was a candidate and was never elected.
The conservatives were making profits?……Oh yea, of course they were, and the reason why they were making them were not because of their business savy or their creative marketing, they were making them because of all of the breaks that both the feds, and the state were giving them, But……Where’s the JOBS? DK? Where are they?
There is a reason why you don’t have a record to run on: people don’t trust you. And giving this particular governor, and legislature, it’s quite clear why they are not trusted.
You talk about Jobs. How many did the Democrats lose over the 36 years want the answer A TON. How many years did Democrats give us a surplus , A real surplus not a phony gimmicky one. NEVER. Democrats can’t run on a record because they have none that is why they kept stalling on these cuts holding things hostage. Waisting time on this nonsense which noone cares about. They are trying to find ways to undermine LePage because they can’t run on their record. So they have to find something to run on. The Liberals 2 best options for Governor to beat Lepage in the future one is in scandal Rosa Scarcelli. Barbara Merrill if she ran again which if she did could give LePage all he can handle is nowhere to be found. Wonder why because Maine is heading more to the right as of late. From numerous rejections of Liberal Referendums Dirigo/Soda Tax, Tax Reform to booting Liberals from power.
Your assessment is incorrect. Maine has been, and always will be, one of the most independent states in the nation.
You can continue on your assessmental diatribe, but the history is what it is. Why on earth are talking about Barbara Merrill, when she was not elected to anything? Why are you speaking about people that were never elected? Logically, it makes no sense, logically you would converse on what is real, not what had happened.
Now, having said that, what do we know has happened, you know? the real things? We know about the Governor’s actions, we know about his politics, and we know that he isn’t politically popular.
Let’s deal with what is…….not what happened or what was, that’s history. History is a means to warn us and guide us, not direct us.
This sounds like being pulled over by a cop and being advised to “disassociate” myself from speeding. Isn’t he in violation of the law AND Constitution of Maine and has been ever since he became Treasurer??? Right wingers seem to scream and cry about the Constitution…you would think they know it…especially the Constitution of the state in which they reside…Oh wait…they know it…They just think that it only pertains to YOU.
Maybe the cop would be nice and give you a warning to stop speeding rather than making it an offense worthy of execution. Do you really think that your civil rights have somehow been violated? Yes, it was a violation of the rules. We agree on that. But that violation does not have any type of criminal or civil penalty attached to it. So what do you think should happen now?
It’s a violation of our state’s constitution, and it is a violation of public trust, and I question the validity of both of them. Are they upholding their offices? or are they simply a political instrument of the governor??
And I know that you are intelligent enough to know, that even though both were appointed by the Legislature, somehow, this is going to end up in the Governor’s office.
Tar and feathers would be nice’
You don’t ever need a civil rights violation in order to respect the duties of a person that has sworn by and elected to an office by the Maine State Legislature, those people are going to be much more scrutinized, and they deserve to be. They allowed themselves, and ran for their offices for legislative approval. But, after taken their offices, they also give up certain rights. And these rights are those which belong, not to them, it’s the citizens right to be able to entrust them. In other words, their power, their control and it’s ramifications, come from us, not the office, nor the governor.
The constitution of our state will continue to say that our state administrators will not be involved with private transactions. In spite of what you have read, the proper cite is Article V of the Maine Constitution. Apparently the sub section is Part 3rd, of Article 5
however, the whole article Article 5 Part 3rd dictates the responsibilities of the Treasurer.
Section 3, (which is why people say article 3, and it’s not) clearly demonstrates the prohibition. here it is: Go to Art V, State Treasurer
http://www.maine.gov/legis/const/
I don’t do this to make my point, I do this so people will understand what our states constitution reads. Art V Part 3, subsection 3.
Im familiar with the process of how these officials become appointed by the legislature. I agree that rule violations took place and that the issue needed to be dealt with. It has been dealt with. And yes, they should be scrutinized. Are you of the belief that further action needs to be taken?
“There is no language, history or precedent identifying any activities the Treasurer may engage in with respect to his personal investments and business ventures without violating Section 3.” – In conclusion by the Attorney General.
Let’s see…how does one read this statement….Sounds ambiguous…Anyone have a clue?
You are in need of another reading of Article 3. It specifically says that the State Treasurer is not to conduct him or herself in this capacity.
After reading it again, I think what Charlie is trying to say is this: “With respect to a [treasurer’s] personal investments and business ventures, there is no language, history or precedent identifying any activity the Treasurer may engage in without violating Section 3.”
I think this is Charlie’s way of saying because there has been no other cases like this (precedent), we have no basis in the AG’s office to say the Treasurer violate the state constitution and therefore must resign. It literally sounded like he punted.
Maybe I just not seeing the forest through the trees.
Very nice reading. It’s not Article 3, and I made the wrong Cite. It’s Article V part 3 of the Me. St. Constitution. …..my fault. I always refer it as article 3. However, it’s the AG’s decision to decide, and he or she defends the state, if it is prohibited by our constitution. That’s apparently a legal position, that may or may not have political overtones. Of course politically, they always have overtones………This is different, this is two constitutionally elected officer’s, politically elected and one having to judge another.
I think that the AG’s decision should be set aside, and it should be directly confronted by the Law Court. They are the “other” branch of government, one that people seem to preclude.
Just another among a long and growing list of reasons why HONEST Mainer’s should “Disassociate” themselves from any connection with the LePage administration. All selfish dimwitted liars from top to bottom. Seen enough yet Mainers? Vote accordingly next November.
This AG appears to be too busy running around the country trying to take health care away from us all. He ought to spend 5 minutes reading the Maine constitution. It is clear that Poliqun violated the constitution when he spent time advocating for his private business. This AG does not say it is wrong, but Poliquin better not do it again.
A crook and an outright liar on both counts!
1}Poliquin also said he didn’t disclose Dirigo Holdings initially because it didn’t make any money in 2010.
2}Last week, the nonprofit group Maine’s Majority questioned Poliquin’s enrollment of 10 acres into the tree growth program, a move that saved him thousands of dollars in property taxes each year.
What did he steal? Has he been found guilty of stealing anything? Is the Maine Majority group you speak of a law enforcement agency with a mandate to investigate anyone or anything at all? T
He didn’t steal anything. If he had been anyone else, his actions would have been unquestionably legal. But the man was the Treasurer of the State of Maine, that is a whole different set of rules. You know that Sal?
Have you seen the mansion and estate he exempeted from property taxes under the tree growth program? He has stolen propterty tax by taking advantage of a loop hole, one that is currently being closed. The State Treasurer should be closing loopholes, not taking personal advantage from them.
If his house was smaller would it make an difference. If his estate was 100 acres or just 10? Tree Growth Tax Abatement is a legal program that many Mainers take advantadge of. Those people do have to follow rules. If rules have not been followed in this case then of course there needs to be a remedy for that.
Give me a break. A duly elected representative of the people asked in his official capacity as a State Legislator for a ruling from the Maine Attorney General if another Constitutional Officer was in violation of the Maine Constitution and this weasel worded document is what was produced. No wonder the people have lost faith in their government. I wonder if Attorney General
Schneider would interpret the Ten Commandments to be the Ten Suggestions.
The Liberals let alot of people in the past get away with bad, unethical, criminal behavior and nothing was even done. So should people be kicked out from a witch hunt because Democrats are trying to find the weakest links in LePage’s administration. What has the Democrats done the last 40 years NOTHING. They are useless my cat has more intelligence than any of those buffoons combined currently in offfice from the Minority Party in Augusta and that is sad. They are trying to find any reason to get something to run on in November because they can’t run on their record from this session or the last 40 years because they have no record. Everything they have done has been an miserable failure , an abysmal joke.
Hi DC how are you doing? Are you saying that you feel that the Attorney General actually issued an opinion in this matter? It is kind of difficult to figure out just what it is you are trying to comment on in regards to this particular article. Oh I am well aware, and I think just about everyone else is as well, about your feelings about Democrats and “Liberals” But do I take it you are in agreement that the Attorney General has failed in his duty to render a legal opinion to a sitting member of the Maine House of Representatives in this matter?
Poliquin should not step down. He is being attacked from a witch hunt by the Liberals trying to find reasons to run on this fall. When Democrats such as Libby Mitchell, Hannah Pingree, Anne Jordan, etc. all did awful things from using their office to form pacs and made huge profits from deals with corporations to fight referendums they didn’t like was anything done. NO. Was anything done when David Lemoine did that failed 20 million dollar investment scam he was let off the hook very lightly. If Democrats do anything it gets pushed aside no big deal. When Republicans, Independents, Greens, Tea Party does something better call 911 if nothing is done they have a meltdown.
DC apparently just answering a question is difficult for you. I don’t care one way or the other if Poliquin steps down. In fact if you remember correctly I was one of the only posters on these boards who said that we should wait until after the Attorney General had rendered his opinion on this matter before we drew any conclusions. What I asked was do you feel the Attorney General issued an opinion in the legal sense of the word. It wasn’t that difficult a question and could have been answered with either “yes” or “no”. Like I said in an earlier post we all know how you feel about anyone other then tea party republicans who have been, are or will be in office.
OMG……well, I guess that I’m awfully glad that 4mainer is on our side. Because according to you DK, that all is lost and there is no solution other than the Tea Party way,…….gosh, I’m awfully glad that you have provided the edges of our options, the outer edge. I certainly hope that you and the outer edge have a nice election.
Here’s a new idea….maybe the solution lies in the middle??
The middle what middle. Democrats in Maine will never meet people half way never have never will. What returning back to the same old cronyism , foolishness and gimmicks that Liberals always got away with for 36 years. Yeah just what we need to return to the nightmare and the loss of our rights that Maine Working People & Taxpayers had to live for all of those years. I think I will stick with what I got now. It’s alot better than what Democrats gave us a truck load of horse manure always dumped on us. When they took our money to redistribute it to their voting block of Welfare Bums, Special Interest Groups, Ex Politicians , Enviros etc.. I wish Democrats in Maine the worst because they made our lives miserable all of these years.
Well, I can certainly ascertain that your outlook is positive. Rather than making things work for all of us, you on the other hand, are concerned about making things much worse all of us, including businesses, (believe it or not, hospitals are business’) So, according to you, we should stop everything social and work on allowing those that make the income that’s worth keeping and let them have it?
And all the while, allow people in constitutionally elected office get away with making some money?
How is either of these going to: create jobs?….or ensure confidence in state government? or even allow a middle class? How is it going to allow the “job creator” to create jobs when there is no one there to buy their product?
In the end you will end up with the rich, and the poor……….who buy’s the products that the rich produces?
I’m certain that Maine people are much more obvious and smarter then what you propose. Your proposal is nothing but controversial rhetoric, that is based on ultra right conservative values. You call me a liberal, and I am not. Would you be offended if I called you a Nazi, knowing that you are not?
darkcat33 omg 40 yrs again, blah blah blah blah same old crap from you. means nothing
So his defense is ‘other people have done it’ so, let it slide?
Your Dark Glasses are Blurring your vision
Violette is going to Jail!
Poliquin is no better!
He is stealing from the public Tax Payers!
Apparently, the Attorney General decided to skip the class when they taught constitutional law at law school!
What’s really sad is that the AG is a grad’ of the Ft. Benning’s Finishing School for Wayward Boy’s, aka, Ranger School. The one thing that is drilled into every one at both the Infantry and Ranger School is that MISSION SUCCESS REQUIREMENT’S are always clearly defined and that everyone knows what they are. The AG’s mission requirement is no less necessary. That this instance of mission requirement’s, was so clearly seen here in the press, was so badly managed gives one serious pause as to wonder why it took the AG staff 5 weeks to issue an ‘opinion’ that is basically a ‘don’t do it again’ memo that is all but useless. It also, for those who have forgotten, provides for the next time that someone decides to try and do this that they now have a ‘prior opinion’ excuse to hide behind. The AG should know better ! The Law has to remain stable but it must adapt and keep up with society. But that doesn’t mean that the Law is supposed to be used as a piece of Charmin whenever someone has a problem. If there was ever an example that called for the election of the AG in the General Election, as opposed to the now clearly biased Statehouse ‘group goatroping’ festival, this case is all that’s needed.
What is wrong with this picture ?
Today’s police beat
1) man arrested after flipping ex girlfreind the ” bird ” — violation of protection order
2) man arrested after attempted theft of razor blades
3) transient ( homeless person in winter) arrested for sleeping in lobby
now these people had other issues but
It takes the Attorney General three weeks to read
1) a small section of the Maine constitution
2) review the public record of the Phippsburgh selectman and planning board meeting
3) look at the corporate records of Mr Poliquin’s coporations
4) and write a 5 page opinion
and the grand total of that — he advises Mr Poliquin to ” disassociate himself ”
Come on folks — What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Oh sorry I forgot the gander’s position in life and his net worth
Lets make a citezens arrest!
Send the Occupiers to the Popham Beach Club!
“AG advises Maine treasurer Poliquin to ‘disassociate’ from business dealings”
Where is “Get out of Dodge” by sundown, before you embarrass the State of Maine
… and the Party any further ?
The good news is that the Legislature elects constitutional officers — treasurer, attorney general and secretary of state — after the November election. The bad news is it isn’t November yet.
Lest we forget, constitutional officers also are not to engage in political activity. Poliquin, Schneider and Summers did, against the constitution. http://dirigoblue.com.lb.soapblox.net/tag/William%20Schneider
crook
Poloquin was determined to be conducting in enterprise and business which put him in conflict with the Constitutional Requirements for being State Treasurer. The Attorney General made the determination that there was conflict and advised Poloquin to disassociate himself from business dealings. Now it is up to Poloquin to follow the instructions of the Attorney General and not conduct business of any kind as an indvidual.
Apparently that is not good enough for some of the posters here. In thier minds this represents huge civil rights violations and is extremely felonious behavior. What do you advocate? That Poloquin go to Federal Prison?
thats cool, yeah
You’re such a kidder. Of course that is not good enough. LMBO. You’re hilarious!
Of course, I apologize if you’re related to Poliquin. That would be understandable.
The moonbats at the bat house count on BDN posters to have attention span disorder LOL
Do you really think posters could stay focused long enough to change the laws on the books allowing Maine voters and taxpayers to create significant recall legislation?
Why don’t you obtain the necessary petition paperwork and go gather 56,554+ signatures and find out if there is any interest.
This AG is a hack. He is ready to bull his way into supervising and vetting statewide issues of pain management for the entire population but cannot bring himself and the entire resources of his office to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities and uphold clear and simple constitutional statutes concerning a clear and simple violation by another constitutional officer of the state. This transcends party affiliations, all the people deserve and should demand better from their duly sworn State officials.
Sooner than later this perp Schneider will no longer be AG and back practicing law.
Has anyone created a lifetime boycott list for attorneys in public service
who bob and weave their way into stardom and then are heard no more?
Here we go again. More quality control problems in the Maine Governor’s administration.
Sounds like a case of the fox guarding the hens.
How about yanking that application approval for undue influence
AND removing him from office?
By the way, Secretaries of State do not issue rulings as they are not members of the judiciary while holding that position. They remain legal advisors and handle litigation on behalf of their respective States.
Poliquin, a lawmaker, and needed the AG to make a decision about his “private” business…. Hmmmm…
Most people seem to talk about people on welfare when they could work as useless Poliquin Might not have done anything out right against the law But morally he Is collecting food stamp when he could work. I have had times when I could have qualified for help but did not apply out of pride. It was a struggle but I got buy. I had to sell things I did not need for food heat etc. ( for less than they were worth. )I look down on the well to do that take advantage of the laws other well to do people make with the same contemp as someone on unemployment not really looking for work.
Just RESIGN already !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again it’s the same ol’ song and dance for the GOP, their need for the power and the money!
Not solving the problems this state and country face in these trying times!
Put the AG on the Bus Out of Town along with the Poliquin!
Man!
We gotta Get rid of this Crony Capitalist Government!
“Bout time. Perils of appointed as opposed to elected State Officers.
This kind of issue is why I don’t think business people make particularly good legislators. It is possible, but their interests generally are not the interests of the majority of the people. That being said, a treasure of the state, IS one job that might be best suited for a business person.
I wonder what the AG would have said about Dale McCormick’s ‘summer jobs’:
“The Iowa N.E.W. Leadership Program and the Women’s Resource & Action Center at the University of Iowa is honored to announce our 2012 Faculty-In-Residence. We look forward to hearing more about the diverse experience and expert knowledge that this incredible group of women will bring to the Iowa N.E.W. Leadership Program! My reading of the State Constitution is that these paid absences are strictly prohibited….anyone care to request her tax returns for the years she spent as State Treasurer or as head of MSHA?
This isn’t the only paid absence; there was the 2004 Democrat’s convention; hustling business for WOMEN UNLIMITED; and paid presentations.
If McCormick can ‘do it’, why can’t Poliquin?
Haw many sole owners and sole proprietors of a business as large as Poliquin’s do you know that are not 100% personally involved in the dealings of that business and instead defer ALL actions and decsions to their property management firm. What BS that is! They even have video of Poliquin fighting for his own deleopment project at town meetings. If that is not 100% direct involement in the business, what is. I say we need a full scall investigation of this and that the Management Firm be disposed and then lkets see if they either purjur themselves or spill the beans. There can only be two outcomes!
It seems the people of Maine need a G O P fraud investigation hot line.
I wonder if you or I called the ags office if he would give us free legal advice?