1995 DOJ memo contradicts Maine governor’s claim cocaine investigation was politically motivated

Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills has faced controversy over the years regarding allegations of cocaine use. She has consistently dismissed these accusations as politically motivated, claiming that she was targeted for her Democratic affiliation and criticism of Maine’s Bureau of Intergovernmental Drug Enforcement (BIDE). However, a newly uncovered memo obtained by Fox News Digital contradicts Mills’ long-standing claim.

In the early 1990s, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Maine’s Bureau of Intergovernmental Drug Enforcement launched an investigation into Mills, who was a district attorney at the time. The probe was initiated after a drug suspect accused her of using cocaine. Despite the investigation being dropped without any charges being filed, Mills has maintained that it was baseless and aimed at tarnishing her reputation.

A memo from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility, dated March 1995, refutes Mills’ claims. The memo, addressed to the Deputy Attorney General, reveals that there was no misconduct by federal or state authorities during the investigation. It also discredits Mills’ allegations of political targeting, witness coercion, and leaks to the press.

While the Justice Department found no evidence to support Mills’ claims, she continued to assert that the investigation was politically motivated. She accused the authorities of engaging in a smear campaign against her and suggested that her criticism of BIDE had prompted the probe.

Despite the controversy surrounding the investigation, no charges were ever brought against Mills for alleged cocaine use. The Department of Justice concluded that the USAO in Maine had conducted a proper investigation and that no misconduct had occurred.

Governor Mills has been embroiled in other political disputes, including a public disagreement with former President Donald Trump over transgender athletes participating in women’s sports. Mills accused Trump of leading a politically directed investigation into Maine’s Department of Education and vowed to challenge his executive order on the matter in court.

As Governor Mills’ term is set to end next year, there is speculation that she may consider running for the U.S. Senate against longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins in 2026. While Mills has indicated that she does not currently plan to seek another office, she has left the door open to the possibility of a Senate bid.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Governor Mills’ alleged cocaine use and her ongoing political battles underscore the complex dynamics of Maine’s political landscape. The newly unearthed memo sheds light on a decades-old investigation and raises questions about the intersection of politics and law enforcement in the state.