Maine governor admits to meeting with individuals tied to "domestic terror movement"

Eric Pfeiffer

news.yahoo.com

Maine Gov. Paul LePage is facing intense scrutiny this week after his office confirmed details of an investigation that claims the Republican official met with several members of an anti-government network that the FBI has called a “domestic terrorist movement.”

Relying on documents obtained through a Freedom of Access request, journalist Mike Tipping says LePage held eight meetings with individuals connected to the sovereign citizens movement, a loosely affiliated group of individuals who challenge the authority of state and federal governments. The FBI says individuals connected with the movement have been responsible for the murder of six police officers since 2000.

On Monday, LePage’s office confirmed that the governor had held meetings with individuals connected to the movement. However, LePage’s press secretary told the Maine Public Broadcasting Network that criticism of the governor was politically motivated and timed to hurt his re-election efforts.

"We're not even into the month of July and we're hearing this political rhetoric from Democrats, and clearly they have already jumped the shark," Adrienne Bennett told MPBN.

Bennett added that LePage meets with “hundreds” of individuals, including Democrats and progressive leaders, to discuss public policy issues and that a meeting does not constitute an endorsement of issues raised.

“The governor meets also with lawmakers, including Sen. [Justin] Alfond and Speaker [Mark] Eves,” Bennett said in a statement. “Those meetings do not constitute agreement with their views, as well. Lawmakers and constituents do not speak for the governor.”

Individuals connected to the sovereign citizens movement also confirmed the meetings to MPBN, saying they spent a total of 16 hours discussing issues with LePage.

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