Pennsylvania Game Commission leader resigns amid ethics concern, toxic environment claims

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Bryan Burhans resigned this week as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission amid allegations of an ethics violation and a toxic work environment.

Game and Fisheries Committee Chair Rep. Dave Maloney (R) says Burhans was selling wellness products to Game Commission employees. During a committee hearing Maloney called the issue “very deceptive.”

“That was a ethics violation,” said Maloney of Burhans allegedly selling wellness products to co-workers. “The ethics violation was that his position was sort of a influence or strong arm to continue this business inside the agency.”

Game Commission spokesman Travis Lau says Burhan’s resignation was a surprise. Burhan had served as Executive Director of the Game Commission since 2017.

“There were some ethical questions in the background there,” said Lau. “I’m limited in what I can say about that, but (ethics concerns) definitely played into the resignation”

Maloney says there are also a lot of disgruntled employees and a “very toxic” environment at the Game Commission.

Inheriting the role of Executive Director will be Steve Smith, who recently served as Burhan’s deputy. He’s looking forward to mending relationships and working with everyone, including lawmakers.

“To some extent, they’ve been adversarial and I’d like to see that stop,” said Smith. “I’d like to see more of a partnership between us and them again.”

Smith added that Maloney is “very passionate about the interests of our hunting community, as am I.”

Maloney says he’d like to see the entire Game Commission chosen by hunters and not by politicians.

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