The Ohio Inspector General's office saysemployees of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and several elected officials violated state ethics laws by accepting a free charter boat fishing trip last summer.
The IG's report says agency director James Zehringer, assistant director Gary Obermiller and others responsible for regulating the fishing industry accepted the invitation of ten charter boat captains to a private event on Lake Erie in July. Investigators say the department paid for overnight accomodations and meals, and some of the over 30 state employees attending the free trip claimed overtime or comp time.
