By Marina Villeneuve, The Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s Legislature will not hold public hearings this year into the conduct of undercover game wardens after a newspaper reported on tactics including providing alcohol and encouraging poaching. One legislator says lawmakers lack the stomach to question law enforcement ahead of elections.
Chairs of the committee that oversees the warden service say such hearings wouldn’t be useful as long as Maine law prevents disclosing covert operations policy.
A Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife spokesman declined to answer whether undercover operations remain suspended following the Maine Sunday Telegram’s reveal of an undercover warden’s identity. The warden service’s commander has said his department doesn’t intend to investigate alleged misconduct.
Independent state Rep. Jeffrey Evangelos, of Friendship, a Judiciary Committee member, said he unsuccessfully asked for hearings into possible civil rights violations.