Opinion ID: 1894790
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: (c) de facto officer

Text: Smith contends that because Leslie Stevens, the acting chief executive officer, failed to file his certificate of qualification, his position automatically became vacant and the certificate of approval is void. [5] We conclude that although Stevens was not legally qualified to carry out the duties of chief executive officer, he was a de facto officer and as such his acts are valid as to the public and third persons and are not open to challenge. See State v. Poulin, 105 Me. 224, 229-30 (1910); see also, Cohen v. Ketchum, 344 A.2d 387, 395 (Me. 1975). No other issue relating to either the appeal or the cross-appeal merits discussion. The entry is: Judgment affirmed. All concurring.