FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The board that oversees the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has filed suit against Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration in an effort to keep the agency’s commissioner.
The lawsuit filed Monday in Franklin Circuit Court asks a judge to rule that the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission has sole authority to appoint its commissioner and set the salary, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. It also asks for a ruling that Rich Storm is the lawfully appointed commissioner and for injunctive relief prohibiting the Beshear Administration from interfering with the commission’s authority.
The lawsuit comes amid a dispute between the panel and the administration on the contract extension of Storm, who was hired in January 2019.
The commission voted earlier this year to extend Storm’s contract for two years, but the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet only offered a one-year extension, which he declined.
The Beshear Administration had no immediate comment on the lawsuit, but the governor called the commission’s vote last month to sue “silly.”
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