The New York State Inspector General’s office says it has found a pattern of supervisory shortcomings at the state Department of Environmental Conservation that allowed a forest ranger to have sexual encounters while on duty, steal agency gym equipment and commute 170 miles each way to a supervisory job.
IG Letizia Tagliafierro says her office started an investigation into Ranger Charles Richardson in July 2019. The investigation found that as the head physical training instructor of DEC’s training academy in Pulaski, Richardson ordered the construction of 15 wooden “jump boxes” for use at the academy, but several ended up at his private gym.
The IG also found that Richardson flouted residency requirements by not relocating from Region 6 to Region 8 and used a friend’s address to get around the requirement. The IG says Richardson stated he performed his supervisory duties over the phone and was rarely physically present in Region 8 while on duty.
Tagliafierro says the DEC has started disciplinary action against Richardson and made a number of personnel changes in supervisory positions.
DEC released the following statement in response to the IG's announcement.
"DEC has no tolerance for inappropriate behavior, misappropriation of resources, or disregarding the policies in place to ensure the accountability of our professional staff and our duty to protect public resources. To address the issues raised in the report, DEC commenced a formal disciplinary proceeding on June 26, 2020. DEC is currently closely reviewing the report. Earlier this year DEC hired a new Deputy Commissioner for Public Protection and an Acting Director of the Division of Forest Protection charged with identifying and addressing any current practices that could be contrary to DEC’s stringent professional expectations and requirements. DEC will take any and all appropriate actions upon the completion of our review of the report."
