A York County lawmaker who is accused of strangling his wife last October pleaded not guilty to two domestic violence charges on Wednesday, the Portland Press Herald reported.
Rep. Lucas Lanigan, R-Sanford, is charged with one count of domestic violence aggravated assault, a felony, and one count of domestic violence assault, a misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty to both charges during his arraignment at York County Superior Court, according to the newspaper.
Lanigan is accused of strangling his wife after she confronted him over an affair. She later said the case should be dropped, but prosecutors opted to pursue the charges. Lanigan has insisted that the allegations are false.
Lanigan represents House District 141, which includes Newfield, Shapleigh, part of Sanford and part of Springvale.
In an election he was heavily favored to win before the domestic violence charges, Lanigan was reelected by single vote in November 2024 over Democratic challenger Patricia Kidder. The election happened eight days after Lanigan turned himself in to police.
He was subsequently removed from the Legislature’s Labor Committee and was the subject of an ethics probe by the Legislature.
Lanigan, who is representing himself in his criminal cases, said Wednesday that he would “immediately resign and step down” if he is convicted, the Press Herald reported, “because someone that’s convicted of that should not be serving in the House of Representatives.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TTY 1-800-437-1220. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
