Former Maine Warden Service head Tom Santaguida, who fished recreationally for lobster, was found with nine lobsters smaller
than the legal minimum size by a marine patrol officer in October. He was first warned, then, upon review by the department, was issued a summons for the infraction. Santaguida then re-signed. Was justice served? Should he have been given a warning and kept his job? Or must someone entrusted with upholding and enforcing fish and game laws face a higher standard? Is there a conspiracy at work here, as Santaguida and some of his supporters suggest? Did Santaguida ruffle the wrong feathers and were the "short" lobsters planted to get him in trouble? Or is the explanation more simple, that Santaguida did not know how to properly measure lobster, as the investigating officer found?
There is a disturbing common
There is a disturbing common thread emerging here in our State. Law enforcement officials have tremendous power and authority granted by government. It is a strong brotherhood and if you question their behavior you can be in for a rough ride. They stick together for the most part - so it sounds as if Mr. Santaguida bucked the "good ole boy" system and found himself where so many citizens have found themselves - at the mercy of law enforcement officials who sometimes misuse their authority.
Look at the recent trend - nothing done to the Maine Medical Examiner for her part in the so called brain harvesting case. Her boss is the Attorney General Steve Rowe. Her sidekick is a police officer from Bucksport; the increasing number of "justifiable shootings" by police officers - all investigated by ....the law enforcement "brotherhood"; DMV official Mr. O'Donnell still a state employee after his debacle....
I don't want to paint all law enforcement with the same brush, because many are good and conscientious - but when they are not, personal rights of citizens are trampled.
In my opinion, Mr. Santaguido got a good view from the other side of the law - and it wasn't pretty.