Ethics team mum about Cutler Files
12.27.2010
AUGUSTA -- Despite the online confession of one of the authors Thursday, state ethics officials still are refusing to identify the people behind The Cutler Files.
The website that launched in August criticized independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler. Until last week, its authors remained anonymous, despite a ruling Monday that one of the authors was in violation of state ethics rules for failing to identify himself.
State officials say they won't identify the authors until Jan. 27, the state ethics commission's next meeting, even though political consultant Dennis Bailey wrote Thursday that he is one of two people behind the site, and that he is the one found in violation of ethics rules. The delay, the state said, is to allow the authors to decide whether they will appeal the ruling.
"We're preparing a written determination to present to the commission," said Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, on Friday. "A fuller explanation of the facts will be available at that time."
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