In October 2024, Lanigan was charged with one count of domestic violence aggravated assault, stemming from an incident where he allegedly choked his wife for around 20 seconds.
[2] At the time of his 2020 campaign for Sanford mayor, he operated a women's clothing store with Catalina and owned Event Lighting Concepts.
He soon removed the posts a few days later and apologized, stating that his "intention was to draw attention to an issue that should have been handled through the correct channels, and not Facebook.
"[7] Following Lanigan's remarks, police chief Thomas Connolly began hiring an officer from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In a post-election statement, Lanigan thanked his supporters, however was "disappointed we didn't get the W." He further stated that he "will continue to use my voice for our businesses and our residents, moving Sanford to its next economic revolution.
[11] Lanigan claimed that his post was referencing the Chicago Teachers Union and the "$170 billion being requested that is holding up the stimulus package."
[12][11] Following this action, Lanigan claimed that Mastraccio lacks the authority to remove him from his subcommittee assignments, as well as emphasizing his stance on freedom of speech in regards to his Facebook page.
Jonathan Martell said that Lanigan had "valuable input" and only wanted to "express his personal opinion and his frustration with the lack of in-person classes this year.
[16] Lanigan promised that, if elected, he would try to reduce food, fuel, and electricity costs in Maine, and criticized the Republican's lack of willingness to work with Democrats.
[19] On October 25, 2024, the Sanford Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Lanigan on one count of domestic violence aggravated assault, a class B felony.
[20][21][22] According to the warrant, he "did intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury" to a female "under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.
"[23] An affidavit filed by Jeremy Riddle, a Sanford police officer, wrote that Lanigan's wife Catalina had discovered him having an affair in a storage unit.
First responders took Catalina to the Maine Medical Center in Sanford, where they discovered bruises on both the left and right sides of her neck.
[32] Bev Uhlenhake, chair of the Maine Democratic Party, said that the allegations against Lanigan were "appalling, and they are far beyond the conduct we as Mainers will tolerate from anyone claiming or seeking to represent us in the state legislature."
"[33] Patty Kidder, Lanigen's Democratic opponent in the 2024 election, said that she did not believe that Lanigan "has any business making laws that affect anyone, especially women.