By John Rupert | Strange Maine | October 31, 2026

When you put corrupt actors and domestic abusers on blast using nothing more than verified public records, they don’t like it. Case in point: Phillip Wayne Garrity, owner of Emerald Painting out of Cumberland, Maine, recently decided to throw a public temper tantrum in the Strange Maine comment sections, proving once again that hit-dogs holler.

But instead of whining in comments, Garrity should answer for his record.

Official state and county records from the Maine Department of Corrections and Cumberland County document Garrity’s criminal record, including a conviction for Domestic Violence Assault against a former partner.

The Business Fallout

For years, Garrity operated Emerald Painting in Cumberland. But as word of his domestic violence record and local conduct has circulated across community networks, his independent business footprint has cratered; forcing him to hop onto Facebook looking for $30-an-hour work “on the books” and trying to latch on with local outfits like Ted Axelrod Handyman and Home Improvement out of Yarmouth, Maine.

Homeowners across Cumberland County and Yarmouth deserve to know who they are letting onto their properties and around their families. If local contractors choose to shield or employ individuals with documented domestic violence convictions, their clientele should know about it.

Mainstream local media looks the other way and protects local operators. Strange Maine keeps the public record wide open.

We are not out of order. We are the NEW order.