Judge to Hear Arguments in LePage Abuse-Of-Power Lawsuit

A federal judge in Maine is ready to hear arguments in a lawsuit in which Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves accuses Republican Gov. Paul LePage of abusing his authority.

The hearing on Wednesday focuses on the governor's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Eves has accused LePage of violating his rights by pressuring a charter school operator into rescinding a job offer as political payback. He says the governor "blackmailed" Good Will-Hinckley in Fairfield by threatening to withhold state funds if it hired him.

The flap led to a failed attempt to impeach LePage.

LePage's attorney contends the governor acted because he felt Eves was unqualified, and that the governor has "absolute immunity" when it comes to the budget and spending. (AP)