Gov. Paul LePage says he’s waiting to see if the investigation by Oxford County Commissioners into the behavior of Sheriff Wayne Gallant yields a complaint to his office before deciding what action to take.
Gallant has admitted to sending a lewd photo while in uniform in his office to a woman two years ago, but has denied allegations of seeking sex with employees. LePage says he is waiting to see if he receives a formal complaint about Gallant before deciding whether to hold a hearing on Gallant’s possible removal from office.
“I don’t know enough about it,” he says. “If the allegations are true, then yeah, he should resign.”
Under the state constitution, only the governor can remove a sheriff from office after receiving a complaint and holding a hearing.
“I understand there is some investigation going on and as soon as it is done and the information is sent to me I will take action,” LePage says. “But I haven’t seen anything, or there is nothing in my office. I haven’t been forwarded anything.”
Oxford County Commissioners have a closed meeting planned for Tuesday evening for a briefing from the county’s lawyer, Bryan Dench.
This story was originally published Dec. 4, 2017 at 5:16 p.m. ET.
