Maine Warden Commander Shuts down Undercover Operations

The commander of the Maine Warden Service says he has halted the agency's undercover operations as a result of a newspaper article and photograph of a warden.

A Wednesday morning legislative hearing follows a Maine Sunday Telegram investigation detailing hunters' accusations that an undercover warden gave them alcohol, shot a deer himself and encouraged them to commit crimes.

Commander Joel Wilkinson says he has shut down the undercover operations to protect the safety of the wardens. He criticized the paper for publishing the warden's photo.

The Maine Warden Service previously stated the warden did not "entrap, persuade, entice or tempt" hunters.

The state Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee will also call Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife commissioner Chandler Woodcock and Attorney General public records ombudsman Brenda Kielty on Wednesday. (AP)