FOREST, VA - In what could be a landmark legal case, the Christian Action Network has been fined $3,000 for mailing letters containing an "inflammatory anti-Muslim message" and for using Governor John Baldacci's name "without his written consent."

Maine's legal action against Christian Action Network (CAN) was prompted by a letter the organization sent out nationally that exposed Islamic programs in public schools and a request that citizens sign a petition to their governor opposing such programs.

Maine's Department of Professional and Financial Regulation accuses CAN of "using the name of John Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, without his written consent for the purpose of soliciting contributions from persons in this state…"

Maine has a statute that states:

"No person shall, for the purpose of soliciting contributions from persons in this State, use the name of any other person, without the specific written consent of the other person." (9 M.R.S. 5013(1))

Maine officials also accuse CAN of offending Muslims in its correspondence.

"The correspondence contained an inflammatory anti-Muslim message," the Maine allegation states.

The correspondence in question was sent by CAN in mid-March 2009 and was mailed throughout the United States.

In part, the letter criticized a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in California which upheld the right of public schools to ask students to dress up as Muslims, wear the Crescent Moon and Star, chant "Praise be to Allah," learn the 5 pillars of Islamic faith and cite Muslim prayers.

The letter also cited examples of public schools removing pork from their menus, installing footbaths in public-funded universities and an attempt in San Diego to separate boys from girls according to Islamic doctrine.

The letter asked recipients to sign a petition to their governor opposing an itemized list of Islamic doctrine, activity and programs inside public-funded schools.

Maine has not only fined the organization, but has revoked CAN's charitable status.

CAN President, Martin Mawyer, said the organization has appealed both the fine and its charitable status revocation.

"How is it illegal to mention a politician's name in a charitable solicitation letter?" Mr. Mawyer asked. "Are we the only charitable group to mention the Governor's name without his written consent? Of course not. So why are we being singled out?"

"Clearly this is a case based on selective prosecution using a law that is patently unconstitutional," Mr. Mawyer said.

The motive for the legal action by Maine, Mr. Mawyer says, is obvious.

"The State of Maine believes our letter is offensive to Muslims and they want us to shut up or pay up. They are accusing us of 'hate speech' without directly calling it 'hate speech.' They want to set a legal precedent which other states can follow for suppressing free speech they find offensive."

To restore its charitable status, CAN must pay a $3,000 fine and admit to the allegations that its "correspondence contained an inflammatory anti-Muslim message" and "Governor John Baldacci did not give written consent, or any other consent, to the Christian Action Network to use his name for the purpose of soliciting contributions."

The Christian Action Network is considering a number of legal actions against the State of Maine for attempting to suppress its free speech under the color of law.

Founded in 1989, CAN is a 250,000 member tax-deductible, non-profit educational organization based in Forest, VA.