Wildlife Chief Willie Molini to retire next year

Thursday, Dec. 18, 1997 | 8:37 a.m.

In a memo issued to agency employees on Monday, Molini said he intends to retire from his $73,289-a-year job in September after 30 years in state government.

Molini, 51, appointed head of the agency 17 years ago by Gov. Bob List, has not been immune to controversy during his tenure.

His agency was criticized in an audit, he's been accused of illegally using state vehicles to transport lawmakers and the Legislature took the game tag system out of the agency's hands.

Molini himself was reprimanded last year for stopping at a Fallon bar while using a state vehicle. At the bar, he and another patron got into a scuffle over the other man's conduct in the presence of woman.

Molini's boss, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources director Pete Morros, defended Molini.

"It was nothing he instigated," he said. He was minding his own business when it happened. Our investigation showed he was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Hunters' groups in particular have clashed with Molini over wildlife management and game tag procedures.

Gerry Lent of the Nevada Hunters' Association welcomed the announcement of Molini's intended retirement.

"Now we can go forward and get some good management," he said. "I don't know why they put up with his failures."

But one state wildlife commissioner said much of the criticism against Molini is unwarranted.

"If you don't get a deer tag, it's Willie's fault. That kind of thinking wears on you," said Merv Matorian of Carson City, one of nine members on the state Wildlife Commission.

By law, the commission will conduct a search for Molini's replacement after his retirement and submit three names to Morros, who will make the final appointment.

Lent asserted that his group should participate in choosing Molini's successor.

"All sportsmen should have a say in who directs their funds," Lent said.

Matorian disagreed.

"It's not going to happen," he said. "Lent wants to stick his nose into everything, but this is a government function."