U.S. Senate hopeful Kelly Tshibaka was issued a citation for commercial fishing without a commercial fishing license on the Kenai Peninsula, according to a dispatch from the Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers opened an investigation on July 21 in response to a social media video that showed commercial fishing activity on the Kenai Peninsula, according to the dispatch. In response to that video, the dispatch says Alaska Wildlife Troopers opened a “thorough” investigation and consulted with the Alaska Department of Law’s Office of Special Prosecutions, the dispatch said.
That investigation resulted in the issuance of a $270 citation by Alaska Wildlife Troopers and “optional” court appearance in Homer District Court, the dispatch said.
Assistant Attorney General Grace Lee said via email on Friday that the Office of Special Prosecutions reviewed all allegations against Tshibaka and declined any criminal charges due to “insufficient evidence to establish her mental state.”
“This left the strict liability citation, and we believe it is a good fit,” Lee wrote.
Tshibaka announced in March that she would be resigning from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration to launch her 2022 U.S. Senate campaign. Under Dunleavy, Tshibaka served as commissioner of the Department of Administration. She has also worked as the chief data officer for the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General and the acting inspector general of the Federal Trade Commission.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
