Hancock County probate judge could again be suspended from practicing law

Mar. 17—A Hancock County probate judge is again at risk of losing his ability to practice law because he has not paid his taxes.

William Blaisdell was sanctioned by the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar last year for failing file several years of taxes. He was also found in contempt for refusing to make court-ordered child support payments, according to court records.

Blaisdell also admitted last year to demonstrating "a serious lack of diligence" in representing one of his criminally charged clients who said he spent months behind bars, waiting for Blaisdell to argue for new bail conditions.

Under an agreement with the bar in August, Blaisdell promised to make good on his payments and to comply with the law. He also consented to be monitored for a year by another attorney, and risked a one-year suspension if he violated any of these terms.

Blaisdell admitted last week to Superior Justice James Martemucci that he has failed to comply with those conditions, according to an order signed March 11.

Martemucci is giving Blaisdell until April 1 to "become current with all tax filings and payments and provide proof of compliance to Bar Counsel."

The order says nothing of Blaisdell's position as a probate judge. He was previously suspended from presiding over cases for three months and was allowed to return in January.

The Hancock County Registrar of Probate Juliette Wilbur said she could not comment on whether Blaisdell returned and if he's allowed to oversee cases. She said the office is still considering informal probate matters as it always had.

Neither does the March 11 order address Blaisdell's child support payments. Blaisdell was most recently ordered to pay more than $17,000 in overdue payments and attorney fees, the Ellsworth American reported Wednesday.

This story will updated.

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