CHILTON, WI- Wisconsin DNR’s top sturgeon biologist has been fined for lying to investigators after allegedly processing sturgeon eggs into caviar.
Ryan Koenigs pleaded no contest to a count of resisting a conservation warden in Calumet County. He was fined $500. He was also convicted last month in Winnebago County of resisting a conservation warden. He was fined $50 in that case.
The 36-year-old also resigned from the DNR Thursday morning, his attorney said. That action was confirmed by the DNR.
The criminal complaint alleges Koenigs’ statements in an in interview last year didn’t match phone records and other DNR documents. Investigators also alleged Koenigs’ DNR-issued phone was wiped without authorization between that interview and a search warrant that was performed at his house a few months later.
An investigation revealed that DNR employees, including Koenigs, would allegedly collect eggs from spearers, telling them they were for research purposes. According to a criminal complaint, Koenigs allegedly allowed a co-worker to take the eggs and have them processed, then shared some of the caviar with DNR employees.
While legal to pay someone to process sturgeon eggs into caviar, it is illegal to barter or trade such services for a portion of the product.
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