Gene Carter

Education and career

Born in Milbridge, Maine, Carter received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maine in 1958 and a Bachelor of Laws from New York University School of Law in 1961. He was a law clerk to Judge J. Spencer Bell of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1961 to 1962, and was then in the United States Army Reserve, JAG Corps, from 1962 to 1968, achieving the rank of Captain. Carter entered private practice in Bangor, Maine in 1965, remaining in practice until 1980, when he became an Associate Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court from 1980 to 1983.

Federal judicial service

On May 26, 1983, Carter was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maine vacated by Judge Edward Thaxter Gignoux. Carter was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 22, 1983, and received his commission on June 23, 1983. He served as Chief Judge from 1989 to 1996. He assumed senior status on January 2, 2003.

Ethics controversy

In 1995, Carter was charged with an ethical violation involving allegations of dishonesty and favoritism in handling a civil matter. Judge Juan R. Torruella, then Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, required Carter to explain his actions. Carter issued a 21-page statement attempting to justify his actions. Ultimately, Carter was found to have used poor judgement and acted inappropriately in the matter, but did not commit an ethics violation and was not sanctioned.