State lawmaker appears in court for allegedly assaulting his wife, says incident was a misunderstanding

BIDDEFORD, Maine (WMTW) – Maine State Representative Lucas Lanigan made his first court appearance Wednesday on allegations that he assaulted his wife during a domestic dispute last week.

Bail was set at $3,000 in Biddeford District Court, where Lanigan appeared via Zoom.

Lanigan, who is charged with domestic violence and aggravated assault, surrendered to police on Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The alleged incident involved an argument in which Lanigan claimed his wife had strangled him, according to the initial police report.

In court, both Lanigan’s lawyer and his wife argued that the incident was a misunderstanding.

Lanigan’s wife said he had been drinking when she confronted him about what she described as an affair. He explained that he threatened to harm himself and Lanigan intervened to protect him. “He had to forcefully try to take the tools away from me so I wouldn’t hurt myself. Some bruises were sustained during the struggle; “This was not an attack, your honor,” he told the judge.

However, prosecutors pointed to Lanigan’s wife’s initial statements and noted that victims of domestic violence often give up their stories.

The judge ordered Lanigan to have no contact with his wife until the case continues.

Lanigan, who is running for re-election in Maine’s 141st District, has not indicated any plans to resign despite growing calls for him to resign. He is scheduled to return to court in March.

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