Governor Ferguson’s long-awaited independent investigation confirmed the Sportsmen’s Alliance’s exact warnings. Specifically, several commissioners engaged in serious acts of legal misconduct. The official report named Melanie Rowland and Lorna Smith directly.

What did the Governor finally decide to do about it?

On Tuesday, September 1, Governor Ferguson’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) sent an email. This message gave a formal warning, which is essentially a complete free pass to Commissioners Rowland and Smith for their illegal behavior.

A formal warning is simply not good enough.

As Governor and the former Attorney General, he was the top law enforcement officer in the state. one would think following the law would be paramount. Therefore, one would think following the law would be paramount. Apparently not. In the warning email, the COO reiterates the egregious findings of misconduct. After doing so, the administration merely lays out “expectations” for Rowland and Smith going forward until their terms expire on December 31, 2026.

These toothless expectations demand basic administrative compliance:

• Prompt compliance with the Public Records Act.
• Strict alignment with Open Public Meetings Act requirements.
• Observance of conflict-of-interest rules, requiring recusal to avoid even the appearance of conflict.
• Professional engagement with WDFW staff and other Commissioners.
• Zero retaliation against anyone who participated in the investigation.

Worse yet, the Governor issued these minor warnings despite critical facts. First, Rowland is a lawyer but still holds records she hid from public records requests. Second, Smith is currently suing the commission she represents in federal court alongside anti-hunting activists.

This absolute lack of integrity from these political appointees exposes the deep hypocrisy behind their radical anti-hunting crusade. Knowing a mere slap on the wrist is the penalty, what reason would a political appointee have to comply with public records requests from groups they disagree with? 

Do they need the definition of ethics?

When Rowland and Smith spearheaded the ban on the spring bear hunt, “ethical grounds” were loudly cited as their justification. However, it is clear these commissioners weaponize the word “ethics” as a political tool to restrict hunting. Meanwhile, they entirely abandon ethical administrative standards behind closed doors. Because hiding records, breaking transparency laws, and suing the agency you lead alongside anti-hunting extremists fails any ethical standard.

If a former Attorney General won’t uphold the law against corrupt political appointees, then we must hold his feet to the fire ourselves.

Send a strong, but respectful message to Governor Ferguson demanding he stop protecting lawbreakers and terminate Rowland and Smith immediately! 

Do not let him sweep this misconduct under the rug. Flood his office today.