Laughtons Step Down from Selectmen Posts

After nearly six weeks of waiting, Nashua's City Clerk finally received direction Wednesday from Secretary of State Bill Gardner, on how to move forward in the wake of Stacie Laughton's November resignation from elected state office amid controversy over a past felony conviction.

It's full steam ahead.

Attorney General Ann Rice said  their advice to Gardner is based on the particulars of Laughton's sentencing, which includes the matter of restitution payments which are ongoing.

"We were tasked as legal counsel for the Secretary of State to advise on the question of 'Where do we go from here?,' including what the issues are and who should decide the matter," Rice said.

The opinion, dated Dec. 31 (see attached), was shared by Gardner with both Laughton and City Clerk Paul Bergeron on Jan. 2.

"Bill Gardner told me that if I didn't withdraw, then the case would go before the Ballot Law Commission on Friday for a determination. Honestly, at this point, I was just tired of all the controversy," Laughton said, of her decision to bow out officially as of Jan. 2.

Gardner told Laughton he believes she is ineligible to run for state rep, and in turn, both she and ex-wife Lisa Laughton must relinquish their elected Ward Selectmen posts.

The precedent-setting matter has been a roller coaster ride with plenty of twists – not just for the Laughtons, but for election officials and Nashua voters, as well.

In November Laughton, already a ward selectmen, was elected as a Ward 4 State Rep. Within two weeks of the election, a chronicling Laughton's status as a convicted felon, came to light.

That information stirred a call on principle for her resignation by Republicans, and raised the general question of her eligibility to run for office, and whether her sentence had fulfilled the statutory "final discharge" requirement.

A formal challenge to state election law was registered with the state Attorney General's office on Nov. 27. However, Laughton announced her intention to resign just as the AG's office was asked to define "final discharge" as it applies to the Voting Code (uploaded here in pdf format).

Over the next two days Laughton vacillated, at first having second thoughts about resigning, then ceremoniously signing the final paperwork during a cable TV program.

The AG's opinion on state law would also have a bearing on whether Laughton and her ex-wife, Lisa Laughton, could retain their elected city posts as Ward Selectmen, particulary in anticipation of the special election needed to fill Laughton's vacancy, which was requested by Nashua Aldermen in December.

On Dec. 28, Laughton surprised many when she decided to throw her hat back into the ring and file for candidacy. She said that decision came, in part, due to having no definitive answer as to her eligibility from the AG's office in advance of the filing deadline.

Laughton stood by her belief that she had fulfilled the terms of her 2008 jail term, which included a suspended sentence for which she is still paying restitution.

It appears to be settled, once and for all.

On Jan. 3, Deputy City Clerk Tricia Piecuch confirmed that based on the AG's opinion, Gardner's determination, and both Stacie and Lisa Laughton's decision to resign, that there are now two openings for Ward 4 selectman, which will be filled by appointment by the remaining Ward 4 Selectman, Anita Perreault.

"Anita will work with the ward moderator and ward clerk to fill those seats," Piecuch said.

Stacie Laughton would still like to know how the state defines "final discharge" – whether it's based on completion of restitution, or fulfillment of the terms of a sentence, suspended or not.

"The opinion by the AG's office was based on my specific situation. I'm disappointed that the AG's office didn't give us the answer we were looking for, as to what the definition of 'final discharge' is in New Hampshire," Laughton said.