Feds warn DOL over hearing interference
A federal investigation found that Gov. Paul LePage and officials from the Maine Department of Labor intervened in unemployment hearings and acted with “what could be perceived as bias toward employers.”
The Sun Journal reported the governor and top labor department officials denied interference in the unemployment claims appeals process, saying that their involvement in the process was to address concerns about fairness and consistency in the unemployment appeals process. In a statement Thursday, LePage characterized the investigation as politically motivated.
The issue came to light in April after an investigative report by the Sun Journal, citing anonymous sources who said the governor scolded them during a March meeting at the Blaine House for finding too many unemployment claims appeals in favor of workers.
The newspaper reported the federal investigation also found issues with the state’s unemployment claims process, finding that the state’s practice of excluding hearsay evidence is unduly restrictive and that there were inconsistencies in the process.
The report also includes recommendations for the state’s unemployment insurance program, including considering less restrictive evidentiary appeals practices and the Attorney General identifying ways to improve consistency with state law and fairness of the system.
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