DNR officers union sued over event profits

An attorney general's suit seeks at least $50,000 from the association, which made $76,000 on the '07 conference.

By DAVID SHAFFER, Star Tribune

Last update: September 22, 2009 - 10:07 PM

The Minnesota attorney general has sued the union representing state conservation officers, alleging it shouldn't have profited from a government-supported conference featuring golf, fishing and other entertainment.

The suit, filed Sept. 4 in Ramsey County, seeks at least $50,000 from the Minnesota Conservation Officers Association, which made a $76,000 profit hosting the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association's annual conference in St. Paul two years ago.

The conference, which received at least $300,000 in aid from the state Department of Natural Resources, attracted game wardens from across the United States and Canada. The DNR sent more than 200 conservation officers and other employees to the conference, which also featured training and exhibitors.

Two DNR managers who were big boosters of the conference lost their jobs after the state investigated the spending.

Greg Corwin, a Minneapolis attorney representing the officers union, said that the union offered to repay some money, but that the state rejected the offer as too low. Attorney general spokesman Ben Wogsland said settlement discussions are ongoing.

The suit, filed on behalf of the DNR, said the union charged the DNR a higher conference fee for its employees compared with what other participants paid, and misrepresented the reasons for the difference. The suit said the union claimed it needed state support to cover costs even though union officials expected the event to make a profit.

Corwin said managers authorized state spending and were not deceived. "This is an attempt to defer the blame from management where it belongs," he said.

David Shaffer • 612-673-7090

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