New hearing in Ohio wildlife hunting-license case

COLUMBUS (AP) — A March court hearing has been set for five state wildlife officials accused of illegally providing an out-of-state colleague with an Ohio hunting license at a discount.

The case is back in court after an appeals court decision that says statements the officers made to the state watchdog can be used as evidence in the criminal case against them.

Statements by public employees during internal investigations typically can’t be used in criminal cases if the employees spoke as a condition of keeping their jobs.

Brown County Prosecutor Jessica Little said today it’s still possible defense attorneys for the officials could appeal the ruling to the Ohio Supreme Court.

The appeals court ruled Jan. 17 that the state Inspector general had no authority over the wildlife officials’ job security.