Watchdog finds fault with Ohio wildlife agency

COLUMBUS (AP) — A state watchdog concludes that the Ohio Division of Wildlife failed to properly investigate and report allegations that wildlife officers illegally provided out-of-state colleagues with Ohio fishing licenses at a discount.

The Ohio inspector general’s office said Thursday that its investigation found that two Ohio wildlife officers helped Indiana conservation officials falsify addresses to get licenses at the Ohio rate of $19. Normally, the Indiana officers would have paid $40 for a license.

The two Ohio officers were reprimanded in 2008.

Indiana allowed out-of-state wildlife officers who were in the state on official business to obtain hunting and fishing licenses at in-state rates. Ohio did not have a similar policy.

A message for comment was left today for an Ohio Division of Wildlife spokesman.