News

Maine Governor Settles Suit Claiming Facebook Censorship

Maine Governor Settles Suit Claiming Facebook Censorship

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine’s Republican governor has settled with the ACLU over a lawsuit that charged his Facebook page was blocking the governor’s critics.

The operators of Gov. Paul LePage’s Facebook page agreed to unblock certain critics in a settlement reached Friday.

LePage doesn’t admit to the lawsuit’s claims he was censoring critics in a public forum and violating their civil rights.

LePage’s office says the governor’s page was a political site and not an official government page.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maine filed the federal lawsuit in 2017 on behalf of two women, Kelli Whitlock Burton, of Waldoboro, and Karin Leuthy, of Camden.

ACLU chapters have helped lead similar efforts in states including Maryland and Kentucky. Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott unblocked Facebook users following a letter from the ACLU.

Latest Headlines

3 hours ago in Local

Two Union Agreements at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Reportedly Terminated

The campaign of Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says the President should reverse course.

4 hours ago in Local

Motorcyclist Dead in I-95 Crash in Kennebec County

Anyone with information related to the crash is asked to contact Maine State Police

12 hours ago in Local

Stabbing incident in downtown Portland leads to hospitalization, arrest

Police have arrested 44-year-old Stephanie Vierkant, who's currently unhoused, on charges of domestic violence aggravated assault.

2 days ago in Local

Otisfield man charged with making bomb threat toward elementary school

A man from Otisfield is accused of making a bomb threat directed at a local elementary school.

2 days ago in Local

Central Maine Power’s rate change request met with criticism from public advocate

Central Maine Power is again requesting a rate change after its previous request was turned down by regulators.