Koenigs, the state’s top sturgeon biologist since 2012, was interviewed by investigators in January 2020 and denied knowledge of the alleged sturgeon scam. He could not recall what he spoke to them about, the lawsuit alleges, “but he was sure it wasn’t sturgeon eggs”. Two processors told investigators that staff would give them eggs and one made 65 pounds of caviar from them in 2015. Sturgeon are large, bony fish, growing up to 12ft in length, and their eggs are prized for caviar processing. According to the criminal complaint, Koenigs was lead coordinator for the department’s spearing season, and oversaw about 60 department staff handling registration.

Source: The Guardian February 12, 2021 19:07 UTC