But first, a quick review. Commissioner Fink and Senator Chaudhary (who represents the northern Minneapolis suburbs) are both property owners at Fish Lake. In April, Fink wrote Chaudhary asking for his assistance in raising the size limit for fish caught at Fish Lake. Because larger walleye are less tasty, the effect of such a change would be to discourage recreational fishing there. In his letter, Fink misrepresented the sentiments of Fish Lake residents regarding such a change and expressed frustration that the established DNR process for making such a change would take too long.
In response to Fink’s letter, Chaudhary used his influence to have a provision inserted in this year’s Natural Resources Bill to create a special regulation for Fish Lake. The fallout from Chaudhary’s actions resulted in the governor’s veto of the entire Natural Resources Bill, an investigation of Chaudhary by the Senate Ethics Committee, and a decision by the DFL Executive Board of his senate district to strip him of his party endorsement. Chaudhary now faces a primary challenge by a popular former DFL legislator.
Chaudhary has paid dearly for his role in this affair. What impact will it have on Dennis Fink?
