In a show of Republican infighting not seen since last week's column, prominent members of the Maine GOP have begun to call for the resignation of state party treasurer Philip Roy, who was reelected to his post last month.

The questioning of Roy's competence began with the revelation that the state party's bookkeeper had allegedly embezzled $50,000 from the Maine GOP over a period of three and a half years. One Republican whose faith in Roy was shaken by this ongoing theft was former state representative Ken Lindell.

"I can't wait to hear from the GOP State Treasurer, and the Executive Director about how this went on under their noses for three years," wrote Lindell on the right-leaning message board As Maine Goes. "As a regular contributor to the Maine Republican party I feel like my own money has been wasted through fraud and negligence."

The loudest public voice for ousting Roy, however, has been that of Dan Billings, a Republican lawyer and activist (and amateur psychoanalyst) and columnist for the Kennebec Journal.

"Phil Roy was asleep at the switch while the party was being looted, yet he continues to hold the position of Party Treasurer," wrote Billings on AMG. "The Republican Party is supposed to be the party of personal responsibility and fiscal accountability. The Maine Republican Party can't claim that mantle until Phil Roy steps down, or is removed, as Party Treasurer."

This isn't the first time Roy has been in hot water over finances. Last year, while serving as a Commissioner for Somerset County, a plumbing contractor sued his firm, P.R. Construction, for what they said was $55,000 in unpaid bills. In September 2008, the state placed a closure notice on retail property Roy owns in Fairfield due to unpaid taxes.

Roy was defeated for reelection to the county commission in November, losing to Democrat Gerald York, but things had been looking up for the GOP treasurer earlier this month when it was announced he'd been hired as financial manager for Hancock County.

Roy has declined to speak about the bookkeeping incident publicly, stating that the party's officers have been asked not to talk about the ongoing trial.

In other Maine political news this week...

Snowe and Collins passed a stimulus package.

Baldacci pledges to spend Maine's share in a transparent way.

Casinos are back on the legislative agenda this session.

Other perennial issues like cell phones, plastic bags, and legislative consolidation are too.

Pingree led a fact-finding mission to Iraq and had a royal welcome in Bahrain.

Same-sex marriage opponents rallied in Augusta.

Marriage supporters staged a Valentine's Day event.

Sen. Joe Perry wants to hold a statewide referendum on building Bangor a new civic center.

Relations are still cordial at the statehouse as budget hearings continue.

Angus King says Snowe and Collins channeled William Pitt Fessenden.
 

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