Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has filed a complaint against the chair of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board. The complaint is to prevent Fred Prehn from continuing to serve on the board.
Prehn’s six-year term expired on May 1, but he has refused to vacate his position. He cited a state law that allows him to continue to serve until the state Senate confirms his replacement.
Republicans control the Senate and have yet to schedule a confirmation hearing.
Kaul receivedletters from several groups complaining that Prehn's presence on the board is hurting public trust.
Prehn says his decision to remain was not political and questioned the motivations behind a complaint from the Humane Society and decisions over the fall wolf hunt.
“Dr. Prehn’s term is over. His attempt to remain on the Natural Resources Board indefinitely, in defiance of the will of the voters, is fundamentally undemocratic,” said Attorney General Kaul, in a news release announcing the filing. “We’re asking for a clear ruling that Dr. Prehn is no longer a member of the Natural Resources Board.”
The lawsuit seeks an expedited hearing from the circuit court so that Governor Evers’ appointee is in place as soon as possible.
