AUGUSTA -- State ethics commission staff will soon begin an investigation into the fundraising practices of a group that contributed at least $1.6 million to defeat gay marriage in Maine.

Jonathan Wayne, executive director of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, told commission members Thursday he has outlined the scope of his investigation involving the National Organization for Marriage.

Wayne has been directed by commission members to determine whether the group, which gave money to Stand For Marriage Maine, "solicited or received contributions totaling more than $5,000" to promote the people's veto of same-sex marriage.

Stand for Marriage Maine, the primary political action committee that supported the Yes on 1 campaign, raised more than $2.5 million as of the last reporting period. Postelection reports are due Dec. 15.

Earlier this month, voters approved the veto -- which repealed the state's same-sex marriage law -- with 53 percent of the vote.

In October, the group said it donated money from its general fund to the campaign and did not specifically raise money for the Maine effort.

Wayne said his investigation will include these questions:

* What fundraising methods did the National Organization for Marriage use to solicit money contributed to the Stand for Marriage Maine political action committee?

* What was the group's purpose in soliciting or receiving these funds?

* What did the group communicate to the individuals and organizations that it solicited?

The National Organization for Marriage filed suit in U.S. District Court on Oct. 21 to try to block the ethics investigation. Eight days later, a judge denied the request, but a constitutional challenge to the reporting statute will continue through the court process, according to a memo from Wayne.

A group called Californians Against Hate requested the investigation, alleging the National Organization for Marriage directly solicited funds to defeat gay marriage in Maine and should be required to disclose the names of its donors.

But the group has said it is not subject to those reporting requirements because it did not solicit funds specific to Maine.

National Organization for Marriage Executive Director Brian Brown said those who contributed to the California campaign to defeat same-sex marriage were subject to harassment because of their political involvement.

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com