"In September, Cutler, of Cape Elizabeth, filed a complaint with the state ethics commission because the website did not disclose who paid for it or whether it was authorized by another candidate.
The commission voted 5-0 on Dec. 20 to find one of two authors behind the site violated state law. That author, called John Doe II by the commission, was fined $200. (The other party, who did not violate state law, is John Doe I.)
Ethics officials have been careful not to reveal who is responsible for paying the fine, however, because of concerns about protecting his or her First Amendment rights.
Wayne said keeping the identities secret is 'unprecedented,' but was necessary because of possible constitutional challenges."
$200 fine for not disclosing who paid for political attack website
The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME:
