An investigation into the WDFW Commission partially corroborates allegations against certain members of the citizen panel overseeing WDFW and its director.
The findings substantiated in part violations of the Public Records Act, Open Public Meetings Act, commission rules of procedure, and mistreatment of agency staff and retaliation against Director Kelly Susewind but did not substantiate improper timekeeping and compensation accusations against one commissioner who claimed to have worked on fish and wildlife business in some fashion nearly every day over a 400-plus-day stretch.
“To the extent any formal corrective action with respect to individual commissioners is considered, it should be determined in consultation with legal counsel and with consideration of both applicable statutory authority and the full record, including the systemic conditions and mitigating factors documented herein,” the 68-page report concludes.
“The report reveals serious issues and even potential crimes committed by WDFW Commissioners. It’s nice to see all the evidence the Sportsmen’s Alliance brought forward more than a year ago was taken seriously, and that the wrongdoing is now substantiated and on display for the citizens of Washington,” said Brian Lynn, the organization’s Spokane-based vice president of marketing and communications. “Now it’s up to Governor Ferguson to hold these commissioners accountable.”
I recommend that everyone read the full article on the investigation and its results on the FishingMagician Facebook page.