California official replaced after killing cougar

FRESNO, Calif.

In a unanimous vote, Commissioner Dan Richards was stripped of his role as president for killing a mountain lion on an Idaho hunting trip. Cougar hunting is legal there, but it is not legal in California.

Richards also came under fire for accepting the trip as a gift. He paid for his lodging after an ethics complaint was filed but denied any wrongdoing. Richards says he plans to remain on the Fish and Game Commission until his term expires in six months.

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