Rep. David R. Burns, R-Alfred, has resigned from the Maine Legislature, effective immediately, according to Maine House Speaker Robert Nutting, and a spokeswoman from the Maine Attorney General’s office said criminal charges are pending.
“We anticipate initiating formal criminal charges against David R. Burns next week,” said Brenda Kielty, spokeswoman for the attorney general this afternoon.
Burns in November was found by the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices to have violated eight Maine election finance laws, including falsifying records, misusing Clean Elections Act funds, making false statements, illegally mingling MCEA funds with personal funds, using funds not related to his campaign, mis-reporting expenditures, using campaign funds for personal use and using MCEA funds to pay for goods received prior to his certification as a MCEA candidate. After their finding, the ethics commission referred the matter to the office of the Maine Attorney General.
“Earlier today, I spoke with David Burns of Alfred who informed me that he is resigning from his position as state representative, effective immediately,” Nutting said in a prepared statement. “The announcement follows the completion of the Attorney General’s investigation into Burns’ alleged mishandling of Clean Election funds. I believe this is the appropriate step for him to take, as we Republicans insist our members maintain the highest ethical standards possible.”
Burns was a first-term legislator who represented House District 138, which includes Alfred, Limerick, Newfield and Shapleigh.
He resigned his position as Alfred selectman Jan. 17.
See Wednesday’s Journal Tribune for more on this story. An earlier version of this story was published online and has been updated.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less