Rrcioxat Ons 181 Hantow Sr 2x0 Foon Bascom, Maine 0401 ‘Ta: (207) 941-3070 ax (207) 941-3075 415 Conontss Sr. Ste 30 Ponstanp, Marne OF101 ‘Ta. (207) 822-0260 Fax: 207 922.0259 Janey T. Minis S1are or Maint E407 626-000 Ornice or THe ATTORNEY GeNrnal 14 Acces Than BE 1 TTY USERS CALL MAINE RELAY 711 6 State House Station TH {207} 496-3792, Aucusta, Mains 04333-0006 Fass) $9603291 December 21, 2015 ‘The Honorable Jeffrey Evangelos ‘The Honorable Benjamin Chipman 465 Waldoboro Road 5 Mayo Street, #3 Friendship, Maine 04547 Portland, Maine 04101 ‘The Honorable Charlotte Warren 19 Oakwood Drive Hallowell, Maine 04347 Dear Representatives Evangelos, Chipman, and Warren: I have received your December 4, 2015, request that my Office initiate a criminal investigation of Governor LePage concerning several matters described in your communication, Thave reviewed these matters with several senior prosecutors thoroughly versed in the criminal Jaw who have also examined the facts in the OPEGA report on the Good Will-Hinckley matter that was endorsed by the Government Oversight Committee at its meeting on December 3, 2015 Initially, 1 should point out that while the term “abuse of power.” which you employ in your request, is commonly used to describe a wide range of behaviors by public officials, that term is nowhere used in the Maine Criminal Code, It is always our obligation to be guided by the specific provisions of the Code in assessing whether the weight of the criminal law should be brought to bear upon any person or entity. Under the Code, conduct cannot be judged solely by its result, Even though conduct may be viewed as offensive or inappropriate, it will not rise to the level of criminal wrongdoing if it does not satisfy the specific elements that constitute a criminal offense as defined in the Code. My Office has carefully reviewed all available information and all relevant provisions of the Criminal Code, including “Official Oppression,” and concludes that there is not a basis at this time for us to pursue a criminal investigation, While 5 MRS §200-A gives the Attorney General exclusive responsibility for investigation of public officials, we have also conferred with District Attorney Maeghan Maloney who concurs with our conclusions.As always, our Office welcomes reliable evidence against any individual or entity, public or private, that may warrant an inquiry into possible violations of the Maine Criminal Code, from any source, with or without a formal request. Sincerely, Z et T. Mill: Attorney General Concurring: Maeghan Maloney District Attorney ce: ‘The Honorable Michael Thibodeau ‘The Honorable Justin Alfond ‘The Honorable Dawn Hill ‘The Honorable Andre Cushing ‘The Honorable Garrett Mason ‘The Honorable Jeff MeCabe ‘The Honorable Sara Gideon ‘The Honorable Kenneth Fredette ‘The Honorable Ellie Espling