Governor Janet T. MIlls (D) and Attorney General Aaron Frey issued the following joint statement this morning in response to a request for subpoena power by the Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy in Lewiston last month.

“As we pledged when we established the Independent Commission, we will do all we can to ensure the Commmission has the resources and power it needs to discharge its fact-finding responsibilities fullly and properly.  To that end, we support the Independent Commission’s request and our offices will immediately begin consulting with the Independent Commission and Legislature granting the Commission the power of subpoena, with the goal of having that legislation prepared for the Legislture’s consideration in the beginning of the next session.’

In establishing the Independent Commission, Governor Mills and AG Frey pledged that “if the Independent Commission determines that it needs additional investigative power to idscharge its fact-finding responsibilities fully and properly, then our offices stand ready to seek any appropriate authorizations from the Legislature on your behalf.”