AUGUSTA (AP) — The director of the Maine Ethics Commission says a state lawmaker likely violated the state’s ethics law when he failed to swiftly disclose income earned from work he did on behalf of a political action committee.

Ethics commission Director Jonathan Wayne issued a clarification about Rep. Ryan Tipping, an Orono Democrat, on Friday, a day after he said he didn’t believe the violation was willful.

He says the commission is now discussing how to use its enforcement discretion.

The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/2m8HeFC) reports House Assistant Minority Leader Ellie Espling of New Gloucester has called for an investigation of Tipping’s involvement with the PAC that supported a successful referendum to impose a 3 percent surcharge on high-income earners.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage has called for Tipping to resign.

Maine Rep. Ryan Tipping

Maine Rep. Ryan Tipping

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