Game warden leaves Minn. DNR amid controversy

St. Paul, Minn. — The chief of enforcement for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has resigned.

Mike Hamm submitted his resignation Friday following a report by the Legislative Auditor that said the DNR had broken state rules in fundraising for a conference last year. Hamm helped organize the conference.

DNR Assistant Commissioner Larry Kramka said, "Mike decided it was time."

Hamm and his wife Cathy Hamm had both been on leave since mid-May during an investigation. Cathy Hamm remains on leave.

Kramka said as a 31 year employee of the DNR, Mike Hamm will receive his state pension.

He said the DNR has been working on making changes recommended in the Legislative Auditor's report. "We've been working on policy revisions and improvements to forms," he said. "It's been quite a bit of work to take what the auditor told us, and make appropriate changes or clarifications in the process."

The report found no evidence that DNR employees made money personally from the event.