Opinion ID: 1990233
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: issues

Text: Has the State waived its claim to reimbursement or is it estopped by delay and laches to prosecute its claim? The claim is in the nature of an account for goods and services rendered. The defendant frankly concedes that the Statute of Limitations could not be successfully raised in defense in this case against the sovereign. If the defendant relies upon laches, that defense is available only where the action is brought to enforce an equitable claim or right. In the instant case the claim is not of that nature. Even if that were not so, the defendant would still be precluded by the fact that the State of Maine is in the exercise of its police power in institution alizing the criminally insane and furnishing them with board and care. While thus engaged in a governmental function, the sovereign is not vulnerable to a charge of laches. In State v. Josefsberg, (1957) 275 Wis. 142, 81 N.W.2d 735, 741, 63 A.L.R.2d 1071, the court was satisfied that the great weight of authority supports this view. See cases noted under 19 Am.Jur. 342, Sec. 495 and 30 C.J.S. Equity § 114, p. 526. If the defendant relies upon the doctrine of equitable estoppel, the facts disclose no change of position on the part of the defendant. Furthermore, the facts relied on to establish an equitable estoppel must be such as to have caused the party asserting them to have changed his position in reliance thereon and to his injury. Inhabitants of Town of Milo v. Milo Water Company, 131 Me. 372, 379, 163 A. 163, 166. Moreover the defense of equitable estoppel is not available against the State when it is engaged in the exercise of sovereign powers. See Inhabitants of Town of Milo v. Milo Water Company, supra. We are satisfied that the Business Manager was without authority to waive any portion of the claim in the discharge of his public duty and if the letter of December 11, 1959 may fairly be construed as an attempted waiver of any sums legally collectible, it may not be given that effect.