Ex-DNR official says he raised concerns about conference
By The Associated Press

ST. PAUL — A former Department of Natural Resources official says he had concerns about the way the agency handled funding for a national game-warden conference, but his comments were brushed aside.

Retired Major Jeff Thielen says he warned Commissioner Mark Holsten that there would be issues if anyone audited the conference.
Thielen says Holsten’s reply was, “I don’t want to hear about it.”

Holsten tells the Star Tribune he recalls part of the conversation he had with Thielen last spring. But Holsten says he doesn’t remember talk of financial concerns.

The DNR’s role in last July’s game warden conference is being investigated by a handful of different entities, after the Star Tribune reported that the DNR spent public money on the conference.

Two people most involved in bringing the conference to St. Paul have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigations.

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