2008 Woodie Awards
Former Va. game and fisheries director, 2 former wardens accused of misusing state funds
Associated Press
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Nation
- Page 1 of 1
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A former game and fisheries director and two former game wardens are accused in indictments of misusing state funds - allegations also raised in an audit that questioned the purchase of hunting gear for an African safari and use of state-owned watercraft.
The indictments unsealed Thursday don't specify the circumstances but say funds were misused between 2003 and 2004. A state audit in 2005 accused department officials of waste, cronyism, misuse of state property and retaliation against employees after the disclosure of the African safari, taken the previous year.
Former Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Director William Woodfin Jr. and former wardens Michael Caison and Terry Bradbery took the 2004 safari with Dan Hoffler, then chairman of the game and fish board, an appointed panel that sets policy and oversees the department.
Although Hoffler eventually picked up the tab for the trip, the audit questioned purchases of hunting gear for the excursion charged to state credit cards. Woodfin and Hoffler resigned after the audit's release.
According to the audit, Hoffler also gave Woodfin, Bradbery and Caison almost $50,000 worth of gifts. Two watercraft and an all-terrain vehicle owned by the agency were kept at Hoffler's waterfront home on Virginia's Eastern Shore, the audit found.
Caison and Woodfin each face two felony counts of misusing state funds, and Bradbery faces one. Each count is punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
All three have been released on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds, said J. Tucker Martin, a spokesman for the attorney general's office. They are scheduled to return to court Nov. 5.
Bradbery plans to enter a plea of not guilty, his attorney Murray Janus said.
"I'm not aware that any law has been violated - I just don't see the offense," Janus said. "The state is not out any money whatsoever. This (Africa) trip was approved. There was no state time that was used."
Attorneys for Caison and Woodfin did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Hoffler is not named in the indictment, and prosecutors said no other indictments are being sought. In a statement, Hoffler said he was extremely disappointed to hear of the indictments.
"I sincerely hope this does not tarnish the reputation of the department," he said.
The game department released a statement saying the issue was now a matter for the courts and noting that Woodfin, Caison and Bradbery are no longer affiliated with the agency.
Former State Police Superintendent Gerald Massengill was summoned out of retirement in 2004 to serve as the department's interim director. He instituted new controls over how its money is spent.
The indictments unsealed Thursday don't specify the circumstances but say funds were misused between 2003 and 2004. A state audit in 2005 accused department officials of waste, cronyism, misuse of state property and retaliation against employees after the disclosure of the African safari, taken the previous year.
Former Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Director William Woodfin Jr. and former wardens Michael Caison and Terry Bradbery took the 2004 safari with Dan Hoffler, then chairman of the game and fish board, an appointed panel that sets policy and oversees the department.
Although Hoffler eventually picked up the tab for the trip, the audit questioned purchases of hunting gear for the excursion charged to state credit cards. Woodfin and Hoffler resigned after the audit's release.
According to the audit, Hoffler also gave Woodfin, Bradbery and Caison almost $50,000 worth of gifts. Two watercraft and an all-terrain vehicle owned by the agency were kept at Hoffler's waterfront home on Virginia's Eastern Shore, the audit found.
Caison and Woodfin each face two felony counts of misusing state funds, and Bradbery faces one. Each count is punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
All three have been released on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds, said J. Tucker Martin, a spokesman for the attorney general's office. They are scheduled to return to court Nov. 5.
Bradbery plans to enter a plea of not guilty, his attorney Murray Janus said.
"I'm not aware that any law has been violated - I just don't see the offense," Janus said. "The state is not out any money whatsoever. This (Africa) trip was approved. There was no state time that was used."
Attorneys for Caison and Woodfin did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Hoffler is not named in the indictment, and prosecutors said no other indictments are being sought. In a statement, Hoffler said he was extremely disappointed to hear of the indictments.
"I sincerely hope this does not tarnish the reputation of the department," he said.
The game department released a statement saying the issue was now a matter for the courts and noting that Woodfin, Caison and Bradbery are no longer affiliated with the agency.
Former State Police Superintendent Gerald Massengill was summoned out of retirement in 2004 to serve as the department's interim director. He instituted new controls over how its money is spent.
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