Michael withdraws election fund appeal

AUGUSTA – Independent gubernatorial candidate John Michael is withdrawing his appeal of the state’s denial of public funding for his campaign, an Ethics Commission official said Friday.

Paul Lavin, assistant director of the Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, said he was notified of the decision by Michael’s lawyer, Stephen Whiting.

Michael, of Auburn, could not be reached for comment, and a call to Whiting’s Portland office was not returned.

The commission advised Michael two months ago that he failed to meet the qualifications for public money under the Clean Election Act and suggested fraud had taken place.

The panel could have taken up Michael’s appeal as early as next month.

Three candidates – independent Barbara Merrill, Green Independent Pat LaMarche, and Republican Chandler Woodcock – have qualified for Clean Election money and could receive up to $1.2 million each during the campaign.