Bobby Charles is running for governor of Maine on a promise to root out fraud and waste. Now his own campaign is admitting it took more money than Maine law allows.
WGME reported on October 2 that the Maine Democratic Party has filed a formal complaint with the Maine Ethics Commission. It says the Charles campaign's own reports show:
- 46 contributions totaling more than $25,600 over the legal limit.
- Two donors who each gave thousands of dollars more than Maine's $2,075 maximum.
- Refunds of more than $85 to two donors over the limit — which the complaint says shows the campaign knew illegal contributions had come in.
The campaign says it's giving money back
The complaint comes from the opposing party, so it's fair to ask what Charles says. His campaign's answer, per WGME: some supporters did give more than the allowed limit, and the money is being returned. The campaign called that "what accountability looks like."
Returning the money is the minimum. Contribution limits exist so that no single donor can buy outsized influence over a candidate. A campaign is responsible for checking those limits before it banks the check — and Charles's campaign reported these contributions on its own filings.
Not his first run-in with Maine's ethics rules
Before the primary, Maine's ethics commission voted to investigate an anonymous attack website aimed at one of his Republican rivals. His campaign denied building that one — while confirming it built two others.
And Charles, who has said lobbyists give money because "you're going to buy a favor," ran a lobbying firm that took at least $512,000 from clients that overcharged taxpayers, held no-bid federal contracts or ended up in fraud and bribery cases.
What the filings show
Bobby Charles's campaign reported 46 contributions totaling more than $25,600 over Maine's $2,075 limit, including two donors who each gave thousands too much, according to a complaint filed with the Maine Ethics Commission. His campaign acknowledged that supporters gave over the limit and says the money is being returned.
