Detroit-based Michael Malik wants AZ Commission to reconsider five-year hunting license revocation and $14,995 fine

An official Notice & Agenda for a 4.17.09 meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission indicates a tenacious Detroit-based Michael J. Malik, Sr., seeks a rehearing on a decision the Commission made in December 2008.

At that meeting, the Commission fined Malik $14,995 for shooting a trophy elk too close to residences without the permission of the homeowners; and revoked his right to hunt, fish and trap in Arizona and 32 other states for the next five years. Item 11 on the Notice & Agenda for the 4.17.09 meeting read:

Item 11
Presenter: Gene Elms, Law Enforcement Branch Chief. Rehearing Request Regarding Previous License Revocation/Civil Assessment. Mr. Michael Malik has requested that the Arizona Game and Fish Commission grant a rehearing regarding the action taken on revoking his licenses to hunt, fish, and trap for a period of five (5) years, invoking a civil assessment of $8,000.00, and further requiring that he complete a Hunter Education course before obtaining any license in the State of Arizona. The Commission may vote to affirm or modify its decision, or grant a rehearing.

Malik was found guilty in Arizona's Pinetop Justice Court on 8.29.08 of discharging a firearm within the quarter-mile limit of occupied residences while taking elk. (See: Michigan man found guilty on charge stemming from elk hunt).

The criminal conviction authorized the Commission to take civil action against Malik which it did at its 12.05.08 meeting. (See: Michigan man assessed $14,995 for killing trophy elk near homes).

Paradice Hunt Club owner stripped of licenses, sentenced with five year ban on hunting, fishing and trapping

The owner of the Paradice Hunt Club in Northern Michigan, has been fined nearly $15,000 by the Arizona Game & Fish Commission and stripped of his right to hunt, fish or trap in 32 states for the next five years -- that includes his home state of Michigan.

Michael J. Malik owns the 1,000 acre Paradice Hunt Club retreat, a commercial game reserve and hunting grounds, north of Gladwin, Michigan. The high roller, who develops real estate projects and syndicates casino investment opportunitites, is also known to bid on unique hunting tags at wildlife charity auctions paying upwards of $75,000 to $100,000.

Malik was found guilty in the Pinetop Justice Court on 8.29.08, of discharging a firearm within the quarter-mile limit of occupied residences while taking elk. In that case he had to pay a minimal fine and put in eight hours of community service. But it was that criminal conviction which authorized the Commission to take the latest civil action against Malik.

You may also want to review these recent related posts:

• Following criminal conviction, Malik fined nearly $15k, loses right to hunt in 32 states including Michigan
• Three large land parcels make up 1000-acre Paradice Hunt Club
• Mike Malik received DEQ permit to dredge two lakes at his Paradice Hunt Club

Related Headlines from Arizona:

• Porter Mountain residents angry over recent elk hunt
• Michigan man found guilty on charge stemming from elk hunt
• Malik sentenced to community service for illegally taking elk
• Michigan hunter fined $14,995 for killing trophy elk near homes

Following criminal conviction, Malik fined nearly $15k, loses right to hunt in 32 states including Michigan

12.18.08

Michigan man assessed $14,995 for killing trophy elk near homes

PINETOP, AZ -- Michael J. Malik, a Michigan resident, appeared before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at its December meeting in Casa Grande for shooting a trophy-quality, 7x7 bull elk too close to residential property without landowner permission.

After hearing his statement, the commission voted to civilly assess Malik $14,995 for the state’s loss of the 408-point, velvet-antlered elk. The commission also revoked his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges in Arizona for five years, and he must successfully complete a hunter education course prior to having his license privileges restored.

The commission’s action to revoke Malik’s license for five years has far-reaching implications. Arizona is a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact with 32 other states, including all western states and Malik’s home state of Michigan. Until his license privileges are restored in Arizona, he will not be able to legally hunt in any of those 32 states.

Malik paid $135,000 at an auction for Arizona’s 2006-07 “special” elk tag at a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation annual convention. Special tag holders have the added privilege of pursuing their designated big game for one full year.

In the early hours of July 26, 2007, Malik, assisted by four companions, including Arizona elk guide John McClendon, shot, wounded and eventually killed the bull in a privately owned meadow in the Morgan Flat area east of Pinetop. While on patrol, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s wildlife manager in Unit 3B, Shawn Wagner, heard the initial shot and responded to investigate. He found the Malik hunting party and wounded bull in close proximity to several occupied houses where the property owners were upset with Malik hunting and shooting near their homes.

Wagner determined the homeowners had not been approached nor had they granted permission for Malik to hunt on their property. Wagner seized the bull and cited Malik for shooting violations. Shooting a firearm within a quarter-mile of an occupied building while taking wildlife without permission from the owner is a Class 2 Misdemeanor.

After several pre-trial conferences and continuances, Malik was found guilty in the Pinetop Justice Court on Aug. 29, 2008, of discharging a firearm within the quarter-mile limit of occupied residences while taking elk. The criminal conviction authorized the commission to take civil action against Malik.

“This incident is more a private property and public safety violation than it is a wildlife crime. The court and commission decisions are a strong reminder to all hunters about the importance of hunter awareness and safety and respecting the rights of private property owners and rural residents,” says Jim Hinkle, law enforcement program manager at the department’s Pinetop office.

The department donated the edible portions of the elk carcass to Shepherd’s Kitchen, a charitable organization in Snowflake. The antlers and cape remain in custody of the department pending the outcome of an appeal to the Pinetop Justice Court decision by Malik.

Public Notice: Arizona Game & Fish Commission Hearing on revocation of Michael Malik's licenses

PUBLIC NOTICE
December 3, 2008

A public meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission will be held on December 5-6, 2008, and as authorized by A.R.S. § 17-201(D), the Commission will discuss and may vote to take action on the following matters:

Friday, December 5, 2008, Arizona Game and Fish Commission at the Francisco Grande 26000 Gila Bend Highway, Casa Grande, AZ 85293.

Meeting begins at 8:00 a.m.

Item 10. Presenter: Gene Elms, Law Enforcement Branch Chief. Hearings on License Revocations for Violation of Game and Fish Codes and Civil Assessments for the Illegal Taking and/or Possession of Wildlife at Time Certain 2:00 p.m. The Commission will consider and take action on the license revocations and/or civil assessments for the individuals listed below.

Name: Malik, Michael J. (Michael J. Malik, Sr.)
Conviction: Count B - discharge firearm w/ in ¼ mile of residences while taking elk.

Update Note: Commissioners voted to fine Malik $14,995 and revoke his licenses to fish, hunt and trap in 32 states for five years.

Ilitch partner gets community service for firerarms violation

9.06.08

Malik sentenced to community service for illegally taking elk

By: Sean Dieterich, The Independent

PINETOP-LAKESIDE - Michael Malik, a Michigan man who became the center of controversy after an elk hunt on Porter Mountain last July, has been sentenced to eight hours of community service.

Malik was found guilty of firing too close to an occupied structure on Aug. 4 after a July 31 bench trial that lasted over 10 hours. The Pinetop-Lakeside Justice Court said Malik must serve the community service within 60 days. Malik must also write letters of apology to homeowners of Mountain View Ranch on Porter Mountain, where the hunt took place.
The execution of the sentence will be suspended pending the court's consideration of Malik's motion for a new trial.

Ofc. Jim Hinkel, the law enforcement program manager for the Pinetop office of Arizona Game and Fish, said the sentence handed down was "disappointing" but the department will begin their own disciplinary process. He said Malik could face a revocation of his license and a minimum civil assessment of $8,000 for the elk he killed.

"What Mr. Malik is looking at is revocation of licenses to hunt, fish or trap for up to five years," he said.

Hinkel added those revocations would not just be limited to Arizona. Since Arizona is part of a interstate wildlife violator compact, Malik could face revocations in 32 states and seven Canadian provinces, including Utah, California and New Mexico.

"If you're revoked in any one of the participating states, you're revoked in the rest of them," he said.

Hinkel said he would have liked to see the justice court hand down a tougher sentence to show other potential offenders that wildlife violations would be taken seriously. However, he said it would not affect how Game and Fish carries out their action.

"We're moving forward," Hinkel said.

* Reach the reporter at seand@wmicentral.com

Michael Malik sentenced in firemarms incident

9.06.08

Malik sentenced to community service for illegally taking elk

By Sean Dieterich, The Independent

PINETOP-LAKESIDE - Michael Malik, a Michigan man who became the center of controversy after an elk hunt on Porter Mountain last July, has been sentenced to eight hours of community service.

Malik was found guilty of firing too close to an occupied structure on Aug. 4 after a July 31 bench trial that lasted over 10 hours. The Pinetop-Lakeside Justice Court said Malik must serve the community service within 60 days. Malik must also write letters of apology to homeowners of Mountain View Ranch on Porter Mountain, where the hunt took place.

The execution of the sentence will be suspended pending the court's consideration of Malik's motion for a new trial.

Ofc. Jim Hinkel, the law enforcement program manager for the Pinetop office of Arizona Game and Fish, said the sentence handed down was "disappointing" but the department will begin their own disciplinary process. He said Malik could face a revocation of his license and a minimum civil assessment of $8,000 for the elk he killed.

"What Mr. Malik is looking at is revocation of licenses to hunt, fish or trap for up to five years," he said.

Hinkel added those revocations would not just be limited to Arizona. Since Arizona is part of a interstate wildlife violator compact, Malik could face revocations in 32 states and seven Canadian provinces, including Utah, California and New Mexico.

"If you're revoked in any one of the participating states, you're revoked in the rest of them," he said.

Hinkel said he would have liked to see the justice court hand down a tougher sentence to show other potential offenders that wildlife violations would be taken seriously. However, he said it would not affect how Game and Fish carries out their action.

"We're moving forward," Hinkel said.

Reach the reporter at seand@wmicentral.com


Related Stories:

• Michigan man found guilty on charge stemming from elk hunt
• Porter Mountain residents angry over recent elk hunt

Attorneys try to block Malik's sentencing and keep him from possibly doing jail time

Michigan resident Michael Malik was found guilty earlier this month in Arizona on charges involving the illegal discharge of a firearm.

The Pinetop Justice Court was set to sentence Malik on August 15th but his attorneys have been working to block sentencing which could include up to four months in jail, two years of probation and a five year ban on hunting anywhere in the United States.

Reports out of Pinetop, Arizona, suggest Malik’s attorneys are frantically filing motions to block sentencing and keep him from possibly doing four months in jail. Malik and his hired guns are trying to find a way to appeal the court’s guilty finding and at least get Malik a new trial.

The Pinetop Justice Court is reported to have schedule another hearing in the matter on August 29th.

Local residents were furious with Malik’s disregard for Arizona’s gun and hunting laws and there’s been an outcry urging the court to make an example of millionaire Malik by giving him the maximum sentence. Other gun enthusiasts and hunters agree that Malik’s behavior was despicable.

Malik is a casino syndicator who is closely affiliated with Detroit's powerful Ilitch family.

Ilitch partner found guilty on firearms charge in Arizona

8.08.08

According to a report by an Arizona newspaper, Detroit casino syndicator Michael J. Malik, Sr., has been found guilty in Arizona court on one count of unlawfully discharging a firearm and will be sentenced for the violation on August 15.

The charges against Malik stem from a 2007 elk hunt in which it was alleged that Malik had strayed onto private property and was shooting his firearm within close proximity of other people's homes.

Michael Malik is an associate and partner of Marian Ilitch and other members of the Detroit-based Ilitch family. Ilitch Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of such household name brands as Little Caesars Pizza, the Detroit Tigers baseball team, Detroit Red Wings NHL franchise and Detroit's MotorCity Casino.

Among other things, Mike Malik is the owner of the 1,000 acre Paradice Hunt Club in Davison, Michigan.

• Michigan man found guilty on charge stemming from elk hunt
• Porter Mountain residents angry over recent elk hunt
• Michigan Hunter found guilty in Pinetop - Arizona Hunting Today Forum