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Important Press Release from US Outfitters
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact United States Outfitters
October 7, 2003
Phone – 505-758-9774
Charges against United States Outfitters dismissed by Federal Judge
Phoenix, Arizona- United States Federal District Judge McNamee dismissed charges against United States Outfitters, owner George Taulman, and senior guide Dave Holton. Judge McNamee’s decision concluded “the theory of prosecution and expansive interpretation of the criminal statue at issue creates a materially new and different criminal offense which was not included within the Airborne Hunting Act”. In its dismissal, the Court felt USO was being prosecuted for acts, even if proven, were not illegal under any Federal or State statue.
The charges stemmed from a joint investigation by United States Fish and Wildlife Service with assistance from the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1998 citing alleged illegal scouting by aircraft by United States Outfitters, its pilots and guides. The investigation was initiated by these government agencies less than a year after United States Outfitters filed a Federal lawsuit against the State of Arizona claiming nonresident discrimination on the quota of hunting tags given to U. S. citizens wanting to hunt on Federal lands inside the State of Arizona. USO had been successful in two previous suits against Arizona for the benefit of nonresident hunters.
The charges (now dismissed) were not filed until October of 2002 at which time a significant effort was made by the government agencies to spread the negative publicity to the media and public. The IRS was called in for audits, which also found no wrongdoing. Suspiciously, these charges were filed four years after the investigation, but exactly one month after United States Outfitters won a Ninth Circuit Appeal Case against the State of Arizona seeking in the lifting of quotas on these nonresident tags.
Not suprisingly, United States Outfitters is considering filing a Hyde amendment claim for wrongful and malicious prosecution seeking return of costs, attorney fees and damages. According to Mr. Taulman, “It’s sad when the government tries to punish you for doing nothing more than asserting the constitution and our individual rights. Thankfully, we have the courts to hold the government accountable for its’ misdeeds. USO will continue to champion the rights of nonresident hunters.”
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact United States Outfitters
October 7, 2003
Phone – 505-758-9774
Charges against United States Outfitters dismissed by Federal Judge
Phoenix, Arizona- United States Federal District Judge McNamee dismissed charges against United States Outfitters, owner George Taulman, and senior guide Dave Holton. Judge McNamee’s decision concluded “the theory of prosecution and expansive interpretation of the criminal statue at issue creates a materially new and different criminal offense which was not included within the Airborne Hunting Act”. In its dismissal, the Court felt USO was being prosecuted for acts, even if proven, were not illegal under any Federal or State statue.
The charges stemmed from a joint investigation by United States Fish and Wildlife Service with assistance from the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1998 citing alleged illegal scouting by aircraft by United States Outfitters, its pilots and guides. The investigation was initiated by these government agencies less than a year after United States Outfitters filed a Federal lawsuit against the State of Arizona claiming nonresident discrimination on the quota of hunting tags given to U. S. citizens wanting to hunt on Federal lands inside the State of Arizona. USO had been successful in two previous suits against Arizona for the benefit of nonresident hunters.
The charges (now dismissed) were not filed until October of 2002 at which time a significant effort was made by the government agencies to spread the negative publicity to the media and public. The IRS was called in for audits, which also found no wrongdoing. Suspiciously, these charges were filed four years after the investigation, but exactly one month after United States Outfitters won a Ninth Circuit Appeal Case against the State of Arizona seeking in the lifting of quotas on these nonresident tags.
Not suprisingly, United States Outfitters is considering filing a Hyde amendment claim for wrongful and malicious prosecution seeking return of costs, attorney fees and damages. According to Mr. Taulman, “It’s sad when the government tries to punish you for doing nothing more than asserting the constitution and our individual rights. Thankfully, we have the courts to hold the government accountable for its’ misdeeds. USO will continue to champion the rights of nonresident hunters.”
