(AP) They say he was fired. He says he quit. Either way, Lance Hagen is no longer director of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association and the U-S durum Growers Association.

The state wheat Commission wants an accounting of public money that goes to the groups.

Hagen says it was his choice to leave, and that he's looking into new career opportunities.

According to Durum Growers President Ed Loraas Hagen was fired. Loraas referred questions to the Grain Growers. Past-president Bruce Freitag declined to comment other than to say Hagen was no longer the director.

The Wheat Commission contracts with the two groups for lobbying work. Commission Chairman Larry Lee says the groups get about 200-thousand-dollars a year for the work.

The money comes from a checkoff tax that farmers pay when they sell wheat.

Lee says the commission has given the groups two weeks to provide more information on Hagen's firing. He says the commission also wants any financial audit information that the Grain Growers and Durum Growers might have. | save this article / add to your favorites list