AUGUSTA (AP) – A Maine company has gone to Superior Court to appeal the state’s award of a $125 million liquor distribution contract to Martignetti Cos. of Massachusetts.

In a suit filed Wednesday, Maine Liquors LLC and its partner Pine State Trading Co. of Augusta said laws were broken during the state’s bidding process. It also raises questions about the winning bidder’s financing for the 10-year contract and says the state erred in its scoring process to choose the winner.

Another company that lost the bid contest, MaineCentric of Auburn, was reviewing the matter to see if it will also file a court appeal. An appeals panel of state officials has rejected challenges by both MaineCentric and Maine Liquors.

Nick Alberding, vice president of Pine State, said the state appeals process was “badly skewed” because panel members were chosen from Gov. John Baldacci’s administration.

All three bidders have formed Maine-based limited liability partnerships for the purpose of competing for the state contract.

The liquor deal stems from action taken by the Legislature last year. By privatizing the state’s wholesale liquor business, the state can book an extra $125 million and help balance the budget.

State Finance Commissioner Rebecca Wyke said she expected the court appeal, which she said could threaten the state’s timetable for funding its budget for the current fiscal year.

AP-ES-04-01-04 0949EST