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

36 minutes ago in Local

Brewer man arrested for hit and run crash in Bangor

Fresh

48-year-old David Harris was arrested by police this morning on multiple charges, including operating without a license.

20 hours ago in Local

Deadly House Fire in Hiram Claims a Life

Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene of a deadly house fire in Hiram. Crews…

2 days ago in Local

Gov. Mills vetoes moratorium on new data centers in Maine

Gov. Janet Mills has vetoed a first-in-the-nation moratorium on new data centers in Maine.

2 days ago in Local

Judge gives Maine 30 days to review signatures for transgender student referendum

A judge on Friday gave the Maine Secretary of State's Office 30 days to review signatures gathered for a referendum concerning transgender students.

3 days ago in Local

Two Arrested in Months-Long Maine Drug Enforcement Investigation

Both were taken to the Somerset County Jail.