By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-29 19:11:33 | Updated at 2024-10-30 21:27:10
1 day ago
A Republican state representative allegedly choked his wife after she confronted him and his mistress about their affair in Maine.
Lucas Lanigan, 45, of Springvale, turned himself at the York County Jail around 9:30am on Monday after he allegedly choked his wife for 'approximately 20 seconds,' Sergeant Jeremy Riddle said in an affidavit, viewed by Bangor Daily News.
His wife, Catalina Lanigan, 43, confronted her husband on Friday at the Springvale Safe Storage on River Street shortly before 1pm, where the pair got into an argument before he allegedly tried to strangle her.
She managed to escape the attack and return home, where she called friends and later reported the assault to police around 3pm, according to the local outlet.
The mother was taken to the Maine Medical Center in Portland for an examination, which found bruising around her neck and small marks on her face, nose, and mouth that was consistent with bleeding under the skin, the affidavit said.
An arrest warrant was issued for the Republican, who turned himself into jail on Monday after returning from a business trip, he claimed, according to the Bangor Daily News.
Lucas Lanigan, 45, of Springvale, (pictured) turned himself at the York County Jail around 9:30am on Monday after he allegedly choked his wife for 'approximately 20 seconds' after she confronted him about his alleged affair
His wife, Catalina Lanigan, 43, (pictured with husband in May) confronted her husband on Friday at the Springvale Safe Storage on River Street shortly before 1pm, where the pair got into an argument before he allegedly tried to strangle her
He was charged with domestic violence aggravated assault and is currently housed at the York County Jail, where he is not eligible for release, according to News Center Maine.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Catalina for comment.
Lanigan is up for reelection next week and running against Democrat Patricia Kidder.
His arrest will not affect his ability to run or serve in office.
However, Maine House Democrats have called for his 'immediate resignation' in a statement on Tuesday.
'We are stunned, dismayed, and horrified by the details of the charges against Rep. Lucas Lanigan that were disclosed in an affidavit from the Sanford Police Department.
'Domestic violence of any kind is unacceptable,' the statement continued. 'These grievously serious allegations demonstrate that Rep. Lanigan is clearly unfit to continue serving as a state representative.
Lanigan (pictured in 2021) was charged with domestic violence aggravated assault and is currently housed at the York County Jail, where he is not eligible for release
Catalina (pictured with her husband in 2022) managed to escape the attack and return home and later reported the assault to police. She was taken to the Maine Medical Center for an exam, which found bruising around her neck and small marks on her face, nose
Lanigan (pictured with his family in 2016) is up for reelection next week and running against Democrat Patricia Kidder. His arrest will not affect his ability to run or serve in office
'We concur with Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross' call for his resignation, and hope that he takes it upon himself to do the right thing.'
Ross said Lanigan 'violated' the 'demands [for] integrity and accountability' that is required by those serving the public.
'For the good of our state and his constituents, I am calling for his immediate resignation. And I request that all leaders join me in standing up strongly against domestic violence and calling for Rep. Lanigan to submit his official resignation,' she said, according to Bangor Daily News.
However, other state representatives are waiting on more information before making a plea for his resignation.
House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham said the legal process would need to 'take its course' before he commented, according to News Maine Center.
Lanigan is expected to appear in court via Zoom on Wednesday at 1pm.
