Lavigne v. Commissioner, DHS

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MAINE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT                                                            Reporter of Decisions

Decision:       2003 ME 3

Docket:         Pis-02-396

Argued:         December 10, 2002        

Decided:        January 13, 2003

Panel:           SAUFLEY, C.J., and CLIFFORD, RUDMAN, DANA,* ALEXANDER, and LEVY, JJ.

RICK E. LAVIGNE

v.

COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

PER CURIAM

         Rick E. Lavigne appeals from the judgment entered in the Superior Court (Piscataquis County, Mead, J.) affirming a decision of a Hearing Officer of the Department of Human Services declaring Lavigne ineligible to receive food stamps.   Because the Court is evenly divided, we affirm the judgment.

         The entry is:

                           Judgment affirmed.

Attorney for plaintiff:

Sara Anne Meerse, Esq.    (orally)

Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Inc.

P. O. Box 547

Portland, ME 04112-0547

Attorneys for Defendant:

G. Steven Rowe, Attorney General    

Jane Gregory, Asst. Attorney General     (orally)

6 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0006

* Although not available at oral argument, Justice Dana participated in this opinion.  See M.R. App. P. 12(a) (stating that a "qualified justice may participate in a decision even though not present at oral argument").