As a Republican, I am appalled. It truly amazes me that after being given a wonderful opportunity to prove to the people of Maine that the Republican Party represents honesty and integrity, they would choose an individual as House speaker who admitted that he bilked the state of Maine out of nearly a million dollars while head of a pharmacy in Oakland.

What a disgusting example of a trustworthy and honest individual.

I suspect the Republican hold in Augusta will be short lived if they choose people such as Robert Nutting to lead them. May God help us if this is what they represent.

Moe Bolduc, Auburn

Editor’s note: In 2003, Nutting closed his Oakland pharmacy after a Department of Health and Human Services investigation concluded Nutting’s company had over-billed Medicaid more than $637,477. He has since signed a repayment plan with DHHS to settle the debt.