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Maine Ethics Commission Fines Bobby Charles $22,658 Over Limits

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 11:38 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Maine Ethics Commission fined Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles $22,657.99 for exceeding the $2,075 per-donor limit.
The campaign accepted $45,315.98 in contributions above the legal limit.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to impose a 50% penalty, double the staff’s 25% recommendation.
Campaign treasurer Bill Riley blamed an outside national consultant for filing the excess contributions.
Attorney Brittany Hausle said the campaign returned the overages and requested a hearing delay until Nov. 18.

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Story summary

Maine Ethics Commission fined Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles $22,657.99 for exceeding the $2,075 per-donor limit.
The campaign accepted $45,315.98 in contributions above the legal limit.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to impose a 50% penalty, double the staff’s 25% recommendation.
Campaign treasurer Bill Riley blamed an outside national consultant for filing the excess contributions.
Attorney Brittany Hausle said the campaign returned the overages and requested a hearing delay until Nov. 18.