AUGUSTA – A 2004 state Senate candidate being investigated Wednesday for alleged wrongdoing was asked to leave a hearing after another witness accused her of having supernatural powers.
Maine Ethics Commission Chairman Jean Ginn Marvin insisted that Julia St. James of Hartford leave the room after the candidate’s former treasurer, Jessica Larlee, refused to testify unless St. James was not present.
St. James testified first for nearly three hours, then took a seat in a corner, listening to testimony about her financial records from her husband, Robert Campbell, with whom she is going through divorce proceedings.
Sarah Trundy of Minot then testified about her campaign and finances for her unsuccessful 2004 bid for House District 96. After Trundy’s testimony, commissioners took a five-minute break.
That’s when Larlee, her blond hair in dreadlocks, walked in, looked at St. James, and sat down.
Acting very agitated, Larlee promptly raised her hand, and, speaking loudly, asked that “Julia not be in the same room, because I am psychic and I don’t want Julia sending attacks at me.”
Marvin, who was visibly taken aback, asked St. James, who said she objected to Larlee’s request and didn’t want to leave.
Larlee became increasingly agitated, to the point of throwing a tantrum.
“I’m very sensitive to psychic energies,” she said.
Marvin then walked to where St. James sat, and quietly asked her to leave, saying she could listen to Larlee’s taped testimony afterward.
St. James still did not want to leave, but did when Marvin made it clear that staying was not an option.
The meeting was then convened, but before Marvin could swear in Larlee, Larlee again loudly stated that she would not testify with St. James present.
Marvin then pointed out that St. James had left a short while ago.
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