DNR board member’s fight racks up $76K in legal fees

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin taxpayers spent about $76,000 to fund a state Department of Natural Resources policy board member’s legal fight to remain on the board after his term expired, a news outlet reported Wednesday.

The Wisconsin State Journal said it had obtained invoices through an open records request detailing state payments to Fred Prehn’s attorney, Mark Macioek, between October 2021 and February 2022.

Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker appointed Prehn to the board in 2015. His term expired in May 2021 but he refused to step down to make way for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointee, Sandra Naas. Prehn argued he didn’t need to leave until the state Senate confirmed Naas. Republicans who control the Senate have yet to schedule a vote on Naas’ appointment.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul filed a lawsuit seeking a court order forcing Prehn off the board. The conservative-leaning state Surpeme Court ruled in Prehn’s favor in June.

After his term ended, Prehn cast the deciding vote to increase the state wolf hunt quota and to scrap proposed limits on chemicals known as PFAS in groundwater. Earlier this month, though, he was part of a unanimous board decision to restart the process to establish limits, a project that will take years to complete.

Prehn announced last week that he will resign from the board Friday. He said it was time for the Senate to vote on Naas.