Lanigan Released on Bail, No Plea Entered

State Rep. Lucas Lanigan

By Zendelle Bouchard

State Rep. Lucas Lanigan has been released on bail following his arraignment on a charge of domestic violence aggravated assault, a Class B felony that carries a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine. His next court date will be in March.

Lanigan turned himself in to authorities on Monday, Oct. 28. At the arraignment hearing on Wednesday, District Court Judge John Lucy did not ask for a plea. The prosecution, led by Assistant District Attorney Linda Holdsworth-Donovan, had requested $10,000 cash bail based on the gravity of the charge, while defense attorney William Bly of the Maine Criminal Defense Group requested $1,000 bail.

The victim made an emotional plea to have the charges dismissed, saying that she was angry, inebriated and attempting to harm herself, and that Lanigan was trying to stop her. “I got some bruises but it was not an assault…Luke was not trying to hurt me on purpose,” she said.

Judge Lucy noted that it is not uncommon for victims in domestic violence cases to be upset and to oppose criminal charges. He added that based on the arresting officer’s statement, he was satisfied that probable cause has been met for the case to proceed. Adding that Lanigan has “no appreciable criminal record” and a low risk of re-offense, the judge set the cash bail at $3,000. He also ruled that Lanigan cannot use or possess dangerous weapons and can have no contact of any kind with the victim.

The charges stemmed from an incident on the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 25. According to the complaint filed by Sanford Police Sgt. Jeremy Riddle, the victim confronted Lanigan after finding him with another woman at Springvale Safe Storage on River Street. The complaint alleges that Lanigan choked the victim for approximately 20 seconds before she got away and called friends, who contacted police.

Sgt. Riddle noted that the victim had bruising on both sides of her neck as well as petechiae on her face, nose, and inside her mouth. Petechiae are small red spots caused by broken blood vessels, which are often present in cases of strangulation. Lanigan’s attorney argued that the petechiae were caused by severe vomiting due to the victim taking Antabuse, a drug prescribed to deter alcohol use that causes vomiting and other side effects when alcohol is ingested.

The victim confirmed that she is in recovery and had been sober for 30 days prior to this incident.

Lanigan, a Republican, represents District 141 in the State Legislature, which includes parts of Sanford and Springvale as well as the towns of Shapleigh and Newfield. Reaction to the charges from House leadership has fallen along partisan lines, with Democrats calling for his immediate resignation and Republicans saying that was premature until he has had his day in court.

Lanigan is up for re-election on Tuesday. He is being challenged by Democrat Patricia Kidder of Springvale. According to a State House source who requested anonymity, if Lanigan wins re-election but later resigns or is removed, the seat would be filled by a special election.

No trial date has been set. A dispositional conference is scheduled for March 5, 2025, at which time the prosecution and defense will meet with the judge to discuss the merits of the evidence, the defense and any pretrial motions.