The release went on to say that the DEC initiated its investigation into Longo in January after receiving complaints from several New York state licensed wildlife rehabilitators alleging Longo was operating an illegal wildlife sanctuary.
"Following-up on these complaints an Environmental Conservation Officer contacted Mr. Longo informing him that keeping a squirrel is illegal unless he was a licensed wildlife rehabilitator with the intent of preparing the animal to re-enter nature. Mr. Longo told investigators that the squirrel had been released to the wild. After the warning was issued, complaints continued to be received by DEC, and DEC management ordered an investigation. A DEC Investigator conducted a review of Mr. Longo’s social media accounts which showed that Longo had lied to the investigator and had not released the squirrel into the wild. In addition to keeping the squirrel in violation of the law, Longo also had taken in a raccoon which appeared in social media postings as well. Mr. Longo’s social media posts were the basis for the search warrant issued by a judge,” said the union.