On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Portland Press Herald reported that the Maine Supreme Judicial Court suspended William Blaisdell, an elected probate judge in Ellsworth, for four months due to significant failures in meeting his tax obligations and child support payments. The court’s ruling followed a decision that deemed Blaisdell’s actions as egregious misconduct that warranted public censure.

The justices stated that Blaisdell’s behavior undermined the integrity of the judicial system, highlighting that a sitting judge must adhere to court orders to maintain public trust. Blaisdell, 54, was found in contempt of court in March for being over $33,000 in arrears on child support payments owed to his ex-wife. To avoid a 90-day jail sentence, he paid $50,000, which included attorney fees and interest.

In addition to the child support issues, Blaisdell has failed to file tax returns for at least three years, specifically from 2020 to 2022. The investigation into Blaisdell’s conduct began after a district judge in Belfast reported his actions to the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar and the judicial committee.

Blaisdell operates his own law firm in Ellsworth and has served as a probate judge for over nine years, earning an annual salary of approximately $30,000. His current term is set to expire in 2026. Despite the serious allegations against him, Blaisdell has indicated that he intends to remain in office, expressing a desire to retain his judgeship during his court appearance in July.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s decision imposed a one-year suspension, with the majority of it suspended, allowing Blaisdell to continue serving while being monitored for compliance with the conditions set forth in his bar disciplinary matter. The justices acknowledged that the suspension of the only probate judge in Hancock County would create challenges for the county’s judicial operations.

In their ruling, the court emphasized the need for accountability, ordering Blaisdell to forfeit $10,000 from his salary to underscore the seriousness of his misconduct. This amount corresponds to several months’ worth of his judicial pay.

Last month, the state Board of Overseers took action against Blaisdell, sanctioning him while allowing him to continue practicing law under the condition that he be supervised by another attorney, Matthew Foster, a former district attorney. The agreement also includes allegations from a former client, who claimed that Blaisdell failed to respond adequately to requests regarding a motion to adjust bail, resulting in the client spending months in jail.

As Blaisdell begins his suspension, the operational status of the probate court in Hancock County remains unclear. Barbara Cardone, spokesperson for the Maine judicial branch, stated that the decision regarding court operations during Blaisdell’s suspension would rest with the individual court. Juliette Wilbur, the registrar of probate in Hancock County, did not respond to inquiries about the potential appointment of an interim probate judge or whether ongoing cases would be paused.

 

 

Source: Portland Press Herald