Cumberland council chair charged with OUI

Cumberland Council Chair Arrested on Labor‑Day Night for Operating Under the Influence

In the early hours of Labor Day, the Yarmouth Police Department apprehended Michael Edes, the 67‑year‑old chair of the Cumberland Town Council, on a charge of operating under the influence (OUI). The arrest took place at approximately 10:20 p.m. on September 7, 2026, after Edes was pulled over by state troopers. When he was brought to the Yarmouth station for processing, police said he declined to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample.

Edes was formally charged with OUI and a summons was issued for a hearing in October. The case will be heard in a Maine court, where Edes has indicated he intends to contest the charge.

A Quick Look at Edes’s Background

Edes has served as a Cumberland town councillor for several terms and was elected to his current three‑year term in 2025. He was named chair of the council in July 2026. Beyond his municipal role, he is the executive director of the Maine Fraternal Order of Police, a position that places him at the center of statewide law‑enforcement advocacy. His policing career spanned 28 years in the Cumberland and Scarborough police departments, and he also held the presidency of the Maine State Trooper’s Association from 1998 to 2014.

Police Perspective

The Yarmouth Police Department, through Chief David Gallant, confirmed the arrest and stated that the OUI charge was based on the officers’ assessment that Edes was driving while intoxicated. Gallant noted that the officer’s report indicated the vehicle was moving and that standard procedures for OUI stops were followed, including the offer of a chemical test that Edes refused.

Edes’s Legal Defense

Edes’s attorney, Jon Goodman, has publicly disputed the OUI allegation. In an email to reporters, Goodman wrote: “Mike absolutely did not operate any vehicle while under the influence, however, and he looks forward to the opportunity to share his side of the story in court.” Goodman emphasized that his client would present evidence and witnesses that he was not intoxicated at the time of the alleged incident.

Next Steps

Edes was not immediately available for comment during the Thursday morning press briefing. The summons issued by the Yarmouth Police Department requires him to appear in court in October, where the matter will be adjudicated. Until then, the case remains pending and no further statements have been released by Edes or the council.

The incident has prompted the Cumberland Town Council to issue a brief statement acknowledging the arrest and expressing confidence that the matter will be resolved through the judicial system. Council members are awaiting the outcome, mindful that the position of council chair carries both responsibility and scrutiny.

For further updates, readers can follow the council’s official channels or consult local court records as the case progresses.