Penobscot County resident alleges staff 'conspired,' seeks meeting before pursuing legal action

A Penobscot County resident used the commission's public-comment period on Feb. 4, 2026, to accuse staff at the county administration office of conspiring against him and recording an interaction, and asked commissioners for a short meeting to resolve the matter before pursuing legal action.

Mister Valencia said the events amounted to crimes against his civil rights, specifically citing "18 USC 241 and 242," and asked for a 10- to 15-minute meeting "with those 3 that were involved, and you folks" to "come to some sort of compromise." He said that if the county would not address the complaint internally, his alternatives included contacting the state's attorney's office and federal civil-rights investigators. "Otherwise, my only other options are going to Brenda at the state's attorney's office," he said.

The chair declined to debate the allegations in open session, citing a policy against public debate of personnel or sensitive matters, but offered a private meeting as a first step. The chair said the county's new administrator would be willing to meet and invited Mister Valencia to provide contact information or call the county office to arrange an appointment. "If things are satisfactory, great. If they aren't, then you certainly have your right to pursue whatever course you feel you need to pursue," the chair said.

Mister Valencia later used remaining time to praise recent road maintenance, telling the commission that sanding and salting improved travel conditions: "the roads are wonderful." No formal action or investigation was announced during the meeting.

Next steps: commissioners and staff offered a private meeting with the county administrator to discuss the complaint; Mister Valencia retains the right to pursue state or federal remedies if he elects to do so.