Top Aide to Maine Governor Resigns

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Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s communications director resigned Saturday, a day after a newspaper reported he was facing possible foreclosure on five buildings, including an apartment house destroyed by arson.

Dan Demeritt announced his resignation in a statement from the governor’s office. The resignation takes effect immediately.

“I have several unresolved business issues that need my immediate and direct attention,” the statement said. “I am resigning from Governor LePage’s staff to attend to these matters. I wish the Governor and his staff complete success.”

The statement said LePage and his staff with Demeritt the best with his future endeavors.

The Kennebec Journal reported Friday that Savings Bank of Maine had filed a foreclosure action to take Demeritt’s property in Augusta, where he operates a business called Pizza Connection.

Demeritt had told the Journal he was working directly with the bank and was not running away from his debts.

Demeritt had said the links unpaid taxes, bills and mortgage loans to business difficulties that began almost 21/2 years ago when he leveraged the value of his properties to buy other properties.

Fire investigators said an arson fire was set at a building owned by Demeritt in Randolph. Investigators did not say how the April 9 fire was set. Steve McCausland, spokesman for Maine’s Department of Public Safety, said Saturday that no one has been charged in connection with the fire.

Andrew St. Amand, 33, was charged with domestic violence related to an incident with his girlfriend, who lived at the building. McCausland said more charges were possible against him.

Demeritt is a former communications director for Maine House Republicans. The Colby College graduate holds an MBA from the University of Southern Maine.