Maine lawmakers seek authority to investigate Lewiston shooting victim funds

The Maine Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee is investigating whether the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability (OPEGA) has the legal authority to audit the distribution of funds raised for victims of the October 2023 Lewiston mass shooting.

Nearly $7 million was collected by the Maine Community Foundation to support 162 individuals impacted by the shootings. Concerns have been raised regarding the transparency of these funds, specifically involving $1.9 million distributed to local nonprofit groups that some allege had no direct connection to supporting the victims and their families.

State Senator Jeff Timberlake expressed concern that donors contributed under the impression that funds were reaching the intended recipients. The committee has requested a formal legal opinion from Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey to determine if state oversight can extend to these private donations. Representatives from the Attorney General’s Office are expected to attend the committee’s next meeting on September 16.