DEC wildlife biologist Stone claims he is victim of conspiracy

Ward Stone, the legendary Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife pathologist, appeared yesterday on The Capital Pressroom, on WCNY radio.

During the interview, he claimed that an expose written by Albany Times-Union correspondent Jim Odato was part of a conspiracy aimed at discrediting him.

Here’s what Odato wrote:

Documents obtained by the Times Union show that despite a host of alleged infractions, violations and “unlawful” actions for years, including citations for misusing state resources and living full time on the premises of the Department of Environmental Conservation wildlife center, Stone has faced little more than a few counseling memos.

Odato also posted video allegedly taken in Stone’s office at the DEC’s laboratory near Albany, acquired from state officials through a Freedom Of Information Law request.

In the interview yesterday, Stone denied all the claims made by Odato’s sources and said that his phone and computer had been monitored, and that he was followed in his car.   He linked the alleged “smear” to his role in monitoring pollution from the Lafarge cement plant in the Hudson Valley.

“There was great prejudice against me [within the DEC] and it was for no other reason than jealousy and the fact that I was doing a lot of important and good things,” Stone said.

Unfortunately, Arbetter didn’t have time to ask specifically about the allegation that Stone “gut” shot penned deer with a small-caliber rifle, perhaps the most inflammatory claim.

A state probe is underway and Stone says he plans to take legal action against his accusers.