Maine high court: State can't be sued for selling man's Owl Head home

ROCKLAND (AP) — Maine’s highest court has upheld a ruling that found the state isn’t liable for selling waterfront property below its value for a man in its care.

William Dean’s attorney says the value of his client’s estate fell from $654,000 to $20,000 in less than year after the state Department of Health and Human Services became his conservator in 2012.

Dean had Asperger’s syndrome and an autism spectrum disorder. The state said he wasn’t competent to manage his properties and that his bills weren’t paid.

Dean’s Owls Head cottage, which was assessed at more than $475,000, was sold for $205,000. His cat was also euthanized.

The Portland Press Herald reported the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled Thursday that the state is immune from liability even when it’s someone’s conservator.

This waterfront property in Owls Head, that was valued by the town at nearly $500,000, was sold by the state for $205,000 while its owner was in a psychiatric hospital.