PORTLAND, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by House Speaker Mark Eves over actions that led to the rescinding of a job offer.
The Portland Press Herald reports that lawyer Patrick Strawbridge filed the motion Tuesday in federal court claiming that LePage's role as the state's chief executive grants him immunity.
The lawsuit accuses the Republican governor of violating the rights of Eves, a Democrat, by pressuring Good Will-Hinckley into rescinding a job offer. Eves said the governor "blackmailed" the charter school operator by threatening to withhold state funds.
Some lawmakers have said they intend to introduce an "order of impeachment" calling for creation of an investigation committee to look into alleged abuse of power by LePage.
LePage said the accusations are "fabricated opinions."
