Susan Thornton, director of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), hasn't been fired after all.

In a letter she received Friday from Greg Hubinger, director of the Legislative Coordinating Commission, she was told that her firing had been "suspended," said Mike Banker, communications manager for the LCCMR. Jeff Broberg, a vice chairman of the LCCMR, announced the surprise turn of events at a public meeting of Department of Natural Resources "stakeholders" Saturday in St. Paul.

Thornton's firing was to have been effective Tuesday.

But it's unclear whether Thornton was ever fired.

Her attorney maintains that those responsible for attempting to fire her -- including House Speaker Kurt Zellers -- had no authority to remove her.

The issue has become a political hot potato in St. Paul.

Nancy Gibson, co-chair of the LCCMR, said last week that Republicans who initially cast Thornton's firing as part of a move to change direction are engaged in a "covert operation." She said the controversy may in part be driven by influential outdoors groups that are upset with Thornton about decisions over funding and oversight.

However, a House Republican spokeswoman said legislators simply wanted the panel's money going to "more on-the-ground conservation and habitat projects" such as aquatic invasive species issues and chronic wasting disease.

Thornton, who couldn't be reached Saturday for comment, has been director of the LCCMR since 2008. The commission provides recommendations to the Legislature on how it should spend about $50 million per year in lottery money on natural resources, conservation and environmental research.

Doug Smith • 612-673-7667