you're right someone did tell them, but that someone told them incorrectly - just because the DWR employee they talked to didn't know the rule doesn't make the violation ok. They violated a written law that can be found no problem with some due diligence. Ignorance is not a defense, at least for the regular joe tagholder.
If it is the auction tag holder with one of the DWR's "sacred cow" auction tags, then no harm, no foul.
Complete crap and shame on the DWR, Wade Lemon, and the hunter that shot the ram for getting off with the double standard!!