Draft:List of Maine political scandals

This article provides a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. State of Maine. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included. Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal. Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence. Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included. Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings. The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later. Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation. Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Maine

 * Clinton Collamore (D) State Representative from District 45, was accused of falsification of campaign finance forms. He pled guilty to the misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to three days in jail, return the funds in question and do 100 hours of community service. (2023)


 * Dillon Bates (D) State Representative from Westbrook in District 35, was accused of unwanted sexual contact with high school girls as their teacher and coach. Though not charged, he resigned his seat. (2019)


 * David R. Burns (R) State Representative from Alfred in District 138, resigned his seat and pled guilty to forgery and theft charges for using public campaign funds for personal uses. He was sentenced to six months in prison, paid restitution of $2,384 and resigned. (2010)


 * Frederick Wintle (R) State Representative from Garland in District 24, was arrested for pointing a handgun at an innocent bystander in a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot. He was found guilty of carrying a concealed weapon, resigned his seat and was sentenced to 45 days in jail. (2011)


 * Kenneth P. Allen (D) Executive Assistant to Democratic State Representative and Speaker of the House John L. Martin, admitted to breaking into a state office and tampering with ballots. He was found guilty and sentenced to 25 days in prison with almost three years suspended sentence. (1993)


 * Donald F. Sproul (R) State Representative, was accused of altering three absentee ballots. He was found guilty of ballot tampering, sentenced to 10 days in prison, and expelled from the House. (1987)


 * Earle Albee (R) State Senator from Portland in District 2, was accused of accepting $878 to ‘grease a few palms’ in order to have a drunk driving charge dismissed. He was found guilty of cheating and was sentenced to two to four years in prison. (1957)