Maine ethics chief says Rep. Ryan Tipping likely violated law

AUGUSTA — The director of the Maine Ethics Commission says a state lawmaker likely violated the state’s ethics law when he failed to swiftly disclose income earned from work he did on behalf of a political action committee.

Ethics commission Director Jonathan Wayne issued a clarification about Rep. Ryan Tipping, an Orono Democrat, on Friday, a day after he said he didn’t believe the violation was willful.

He says the commission is now discussing how to use its enforcement discretion.

The Portland Press Herald reports House Assistant Minority Leader Ellie Espling of New Gloucester has called for an investigation of Tipping’s involvement with the PAC that supported a successful referendum to impose a 3 percent surcharge on high-income earners.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage has called for Tipping to resign.