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State lawmaker appears in court after allegedly assaulting his wife. She says the incident was a misunderstanding

State lawmaker appears in court after allegedly assaulting his wife. She says the incident was a misunderstanding

BIDDEFORD, Maine (WMTW) – Maine State Rep. Lucas Lanigan made his first court appearance Wednesday accused of assaulting his wife last week during a domestic dispute.

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

Lanigan, charged with domestic violence and aggravated assault, turned himself in to police Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The alleged incident involved an altercation in which, according to the initial police report, Lanigan’s wife claimed he strangled her.

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

Lanigan’s wife said she had been drinking when she confronted him about what she described as an affair. She explained that she was threatening self-harm and that Lanigan had intervened to protect her. “He had to forcefully try to take the tool from me so I didn’t hurt myself. During the struggle I suffered some bruises; It was not an assault, your honor,” she told the judge.

However, prosecutors noted that in domestic violence cases, victims often recant their stories, citing initial statements from Lanigan’s wife.

The judge ordered Lanigan to have no contact with his wife pending further proceedings.

Lanigan, who is running for re-election in Maine’s 141st District, has indicated no plans to resign despite growing calls for him to resign. He will return to court in March.