News

All 6 Maine Fedal Judges Recuse Themselves from Rep Libby’s Lawsuit

All 6 Maine Fedal Judges Recuse Themselves from Rep Libby’s Lawsuit

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


All six Maine federal judges are recusing themselves from Republican State Representative Laurel Libby’s lawsuit against House Speaker Ryan Fecteau.

A statement from the federal court says the judges are doing so because an employee of Maine is involved in controversy stemming from the case.

“The Judges of the District of Maine independently concluded that they are compelled by the Code of Conduct for United States Judges to recuse themselves because an employee of the District of Maine is involved in or directly impacted by the controversy underlying this litigation.” said Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker in the statement.

Libby claims Fecteau violated her First and 14th Amendment rights when the House censured her and banned her from speaking or voting on the House floor. House members voted to censure her along party lines after she identified a transgender student athlete by name and with a picture online.

Libby, who represents Minot and part of Auburn, would be given the ability to vote and speak on the floor again if she were to apologize, which she has continued to say she won’t do.

The case will remain in the District of Maine but has been specially assigned to judges in the District of Rhode Island, according to Judge Walker’s statement.

Walker said the court typically does not comment on its orders, including orders of recusal, but did so in this case because of the unique circumstances.

Latest Headlines

9 hours ago in Local

Jay school board stays the course on transgender athlete policy amid lawsuit filed by Maine Human Rights Commission

School board members in Jay voted Thursday night to keep a policy in place barring transgender athletes from girls' sports.

9 hours ago in Local

Man injured in Oakland house explosion remains in critical condition

An investigation continues into the cause of a propane leak that caused an explosion at a home in Oakland on Thanksgiving.

9 hours ago in Local

Border patrol says Iraqi man arrested after trying to buy guns in Maine was in the country illegally

An Iraqi man was arrested in Ellsworth this fall after trying to buy guns.

1 day ago in Local

Man to serve 2 life sentences for fatally shooting couple in front of their children in Westbrook

A Maine man who fatally shot a couple in Westbrook in front of their children has been sentenced to life behind bars.

1 day ago in Local

1 man found dead after fire destroys off-grid home in Sumner

Crews found one person dead after fire destroyed an off-grid residence in Sumner.