Conway Daily Sun

Former state Rep. Jim Ryan (D-Franklin) has been released from prison on bail, The Conway Daily Sun reports.

Ryan was bailed out by Jim Craig, a Manchester lawyer and former House Minority Leader.

Carroll County politicians differ over the impact of the story that a company founded by state Rep. Bill Denley (R-Wakefield) was under investigation by Maine's Attorney General.

The story has quickly become the main issue in Denley's bid for the state senate in District 3 against Bud Martin (D-Center Sandwich).

Former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) said she does not support the financial bailout bill working its way through Congress. However, she told The Conway Daily Sun in an editorial board meeting, after her first debate against U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley), that she was "inclined" to support the bill.

The Shaheen campaign said that Shaheen remains opposed to the Senate version of the bill because it lacks oversight regulations.

The Republican running in the state Senate District 3 seat vacated by Joe Kenney is facing serious questions as to why his mortgage business failed.

Maine's Attorney General is suggesting Downeast Mortgage Corp, which state Rep. Bill Denley founded 21 years ago, was prosecuted and agreed to a fine for alledgely advising a couple of a scheme whereby they could apply as a business to get around residential lending rules. Denley said the lawsuit did not make his company go under in the spring, but instead it was the nationwide housing crisis.
He said the fact these allegations are coming out now is "an outlandish political attack."