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Wednesday, September 14, 2016

White Marlin Open Case Moved To Federal Court; Tourney Removed As Plaintiff

OCEAN CITY — At the request of the defendant, a Worcester County Circuit Court case that could ultimately strip the 2016 first-place White Marlin Open winner of his record $2.8 million payout and redistribute it to the winners in several other divisions was moved last week to U.S. District Court.

In late August, White Marlin Open (WMO) officials announced a potential rules violation could disqualify the winner in the white marlin division, a 76.5-pounder caught by angler Phillip Heasley on the Kallianassa out of Naples, Fla.

About two weeks after the 2016 tournament, WMO officials announced there appeared to be rules violations regarding the timing of the catch and that Heasley and three other individuals on the Kallianassa including the captain and two mates were deceptive on their answers to some of the questions during the requisite post-tournament polygraph examinations for the winners in major categories. In August, WMO officials, through attorney Joe Moore, filed a Complaint for Interpleader in Worcester County Circuit Court, essentially asking a judge to intercede and decide first if there were rules violations committed by Heasley and the Kallianassa crew, and secondly, if there were violations, how best should the $2.8 million in prize money be distributed to the winners in other categories.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I heard 2 things today that interest me.First there is a move to pardon Edward Snowden.2nd the White Marlin tournament may be coming to an end.Both are good news items in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

Rich guy got caught cheating, now he's got to try to win in court to save face.

SbyNews_Staff said...

3:25
Did you send the links for those items to Joe?

Anonymous said...

There is way too much money at stake in the White Marlin Open, which brings about greed, dishonesty and paranoia. From both sides. The average Joe fisherman can't even think about this tournament anymore. A local full time boat Captain who fished this year told me last week you will have around $50,000.00 invested in entrance fees, Calcutta's and boat expenses. That's a lot of tuna salad.

Anonymous said...

3:32-The Snowden story was on CBS News radio.I overheard 3 people who know discussing the White Marlin Open.

Anonymous said...

White or black there's always one in the crowd to ruin it for everyone else

Anonymous said...

These tournaments just kill fish that the recreational fisherman would love to catch. That big marlin that they brought in in 2 pieces should have warranted a fine by NRP.

Anonymous said...

The rules are the rules...if you win you must pass a lie detector test to get paid. They didn't. This should have never gone to court...now only the lawyers will win. It's a shame...the WMO will never be the same.

Anonymous said...

The Open is becoming like the Best Body on the Beach competitions, where women of dubious natural physical attributes travel from competition to competition all over the map. For them, the lies come in the form of fake boobs and sprayed on tans.

Anonymous said...

There called escorts!!! Follow the money. These guys will take groups of these ladies all the way up the coast then fly them back