ORIGINAL: DougE

I remember reading about Madl's alleged offeces a long time ago.I'm not saying he was innocent or guilty because i never saw any of the evidence.I thought this was looked into by the AG and most of it was dropped.I honestly don't know what the total outcome was.You wouldn't have a link would you.If the allegations were true,I agree that it was about as bad as it gets.

Release # 67 – 99 Dec. 15, 1999 For Information Contact: Jerry Feaser 717-705-6541 (ext. 3106)

GAME COMMISSION SEEKS MADL'S RESIGNATION AS DEPUTY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OFFICER

Madl also asked to be prepared to repay Game Fund

HARRISBURG - At a Capitol Hill news briefing, the following statement was released on behalf of Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross:
"Today I'm announcing that I have asked for the immediate resignation of Donald C. Madl as a deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) for the agency," Ross said. Madl had served in the Pennsylvania Game Commission from 1962 until 1999, and retired as executive director this past May. Before retiring, Madl assured his appointment as a deputy WCO in Westmoreland County.
"Just prior to taking over as executive director, I received evidence alleging that Madl had unlawfully taken Commission property. Shortly after being sworn-in as executive director, I turned this information over to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and requested a thorough investigation of the allegations," Ross said.
"Based on an examination of invoice, inventory and computer records furnished to the OIG by the Game Commission, the OIG report concluded that, from January 1993 through April 1999, Madl abused the Commission's ordering system. The OIG report concluded that Madl ordered on his personal inventory account and the Executive Office account: 67 pairs of black socks and 69 pairs of boot socks; 4 pairs of rubber boots, 14 pairs of summer boots, 8 pairs of winter boots and 7 pairs of dress shoes, all in a variety of sizes; and 6 insulated vests.
"The OIG compared Madl's ordering habits for vests and socks to those of an
average field Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) and an average Bureau of Law Enforcement officer in the Harrisburg office. The OIG found that Madl's vest orders were 8.6 times higher than those of an average field WCO and 30 times higher than those of an average Bureau of Law Enforcement officer. Madl's orders for socks were 3.1 times higher than those of an average field WCO and 9.8 times higher than those of an average Bureau of Law Enforcement officer.
"The OIG report also concluded that when Madl retired as executive director on April 30, he failed to return equipment and supplies issued to him, including: 12 tires; 2 computerized Global Positioning Systems; 11 Game Commission badges; 1 Sharp Wizard Organizer; 1 Pentax camera; 1 Motorola radio; and 1 Sony voice-operated recorder. Once the OIG initiated its investigation, Madl returned many of these items to the Commission.
"Based on interviews with Commission employees, the OIG also concluded that, between 1988 and 1998, Madl used Commission employees and equipment to perform personal services during normal working hours, including: skinning 123 deer shot by Madl; skinning 52 deer shot by Madl's friends and family; plowing the driveway to Madl's house approximately 10 to 12 times; and repairing Madl's hunting trailer approximately 6 times. Additionally, the OIG discovered that between 50 and 60 of the deer Madl brought into the office for skinning were not properly tagged, which is a violation of the Game and Wildlife Code.
"While the statute of limitations has expired on prosecuting any alleged violations of the Game and Wildlife Code, we have been informed that the Office of General Counsel has transmitted a copy of the OIG report to the Office of Attorney General for possible further action.
"In addition to seeking Madl's immediate resignation, I have informed him that the Commission also will be asking him to repay the Game Fund for what we believe was a clear misappropriation of Commission equipment and services. Once calculations are completed, an itemized bill will be presented to him for payment.
"This truly is a sad day in the history of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. But the OIG report has sparked positive changes within the agency.
"Besides seeking Madl's resignation and reimbursement, the Commission is taking other actions suggested by the Inspector General's investigation. Steps already have been taken to increase the security of the Commission's equipment warehouse, and we are conducting an on-going review of agency policies and procedures regarding distribution of equipment.
"The Game Commission chose to announce the findings of this investigation and the corrective steps taken by the agency to the public for three very simple reasons.
"Number one: We recognize our responsibility to discuss issues of public concern. The recently-released U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' Management Assistance Team (MAT) Report provided recommendations on how the Game Commission can improve its effectiveness and efficiency. One of the recommendations was to provide the public information about issues of public concern. As this is a matter involving a former public official whom we believe violated his position of public trust, it was determined that this information must be provided to the public.
"Number two: We must demonstrate that we are working to restore the Commission's credibility with hunters. Hunters need to know that the Commission will act responsibly and prudently with the funds they have entrusted to the agency for the management of Pennsylvania's wildlife and enforcement of the Game and Wildlife Code. We also need to assure hunters that allegations of misuse and misappropriation will be investigated and not ignored or swept under the rug.
"Number three, and perhaps most important to the future of the Commission: We have an obligation to our employees to support them when they come forward with information about issues that need to be addressed. One of the other MAT Report recommendations focused on the need to build trust within the Game Commission. The recommendation encouraged leaders, supervisors and managers to: be honest; be fair; keep your word; be consistent; and be accountable.
"In addition, the MAT Report specifically recommends that we include a 'whistle-blower clause' that encourages Commission employees to come forward when they perceive a breach has been committed. Fortunately, Commission employees willingly stepped forward and fully and completely cooperated with the Inspector General's investigation. I believe that it is thanks to their standard of ethics that the OIG was able to offer such solid conclusions.
"Based on the conclusions of the Inspector General's report, I believe it is clear that Mr. Madl acted with little regard for the reputation of the Game Commission or the morale of its employees. He will be held accountable for those actions.
"On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and the entire Game Commission, I offer our thanks and appreciation to Inspector General Robert DeSousa and his staff for conducting this important investigation. We believe this information will help improve the Game Commission's standing with Pennsylvanians and with our own employees."





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But Ross said in a statement that the report alleged that Madl had:
Used commission employees and equipment to perform personal services during work hours between 1988 and 1998. Among them: skinning 123 deer apparently shot by Madl, skinning 52 more apparently shot by Madl's family and friends, plowing the driveway to Madl's house from 10 to 12 times, and repairing Madl's hunting trailer about half a dozen times.

Though the two-year statute of limitations has run out on the alleged game law violations, the rest of the findings are being examined by Attorney General Mike Fisher's office.