7/31/2019 PRESS RELEASE: Poliquin continues misuse of taxpayer money for personal gain

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Maine Legislature

Senate Democratic Officewww.mainesenate.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2012

Contact: Ericka Dodge [Bartlett], 232-5892 (m); Jodi Quintero [Kruger], 287-1488 (o); 841-6279 (m)

POLIQUIN CONTINUES MISUSE OF TAXPAYER MONEY FOR PERSONAL GAIN

Lawmakers press for answers and demand accountability by the Treasurer

AUGUSTAToday lawmakers renewed questions about State Treasurer Bruce Poliquin's misuse of public resources for his own political gain. OnMonday, Poliquin sent an email blast from the state's computer system, in his role as State Treasurer, contradicting and undermining the findings of the Maine Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) report.

Mr. Poliquin continues to choose to deflect criticism by pressing forward with unfounded attacks on the Maine State Housing Authority, said StateSenator Phil Bartlett ( D-Gorham). Mr. Poliquin should be focused on his duties as Treasurer instead of teaming up with special interests to uset f liti l it h h t It i ti f M P liq i t l k i th i d t k ibilit f hi ti

mailto:edodge.mail@gmail.comhttp://www.mainesenate.org/

7/31/2019 PRESS RELEASE: Poliquin continues misuse of taxpayer money for personal gain

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Last week, State Senator Phil Bartlett sent a letter to Poliquin requesting he step down as State Treasurer citing a dereliction of duties as a state

Constitutional Officer. To date, Senator Bartlett has received no response.

Mr. Poliquin's refusal to answer legitimate questions and comply with the legal requirements of his office are unacceptable. He owes all of thetaxpayers of Maine an explanation for teaming up with the Maine Heritage Policy Center to launch personal political attacks, said Bartlett.

Bartlett added, Despite months of questions, Mr. Poliquin has left many questions unanswered. He dodges the press, ignores lawmakers queries,and worse, hasn't explained himself to the tax payers of Maine. He still needs to account for his business interests and take immediate steps tocomply with the constitutional requirements for his office. He still needs to explain why, for more than a decade, he sheltered his property from taxeswith a program that requires him to harvest trees even though there is a deed restriction prohibiting him from complying with the tax programsrequirements. He still needs to explain why he is colluding with an extreme special interest group as Treasurer of the State of Maine.

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http://www.mainesenate.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Letter-to-Bruce-Poliquin-May-30-2012.pdf