Authorities investigate Lake Erie tournament cheating

Last Monday, the prosecutor’s office in Cleveland started an inquiry into suspicions of cheating at a lucrative walleye fishing contest held on Lake Erie.

A video [Warning: the linked video contains graphic language] posted to Twitter shows Jason Fischer, tournament director for the Lake Erie Walleye Trail, removing lead weights and prepared fish filets off the winning catch of five walleye on Friday.

Jacob Runyan of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Chase Cominsky of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, were disqualified immediately.

The dramatic clip depicted an increasingly enraged audience surrounding the candidates, accusing them of cheating in past competitions as well and threatening to contact the police, claiming the two guys had practically stolen thousands of dollars from other rivals.

Fischer stated to WOIO-TV that he sliced open the fish because they appeared heavier than ordinary walleyes of that length.

Monday, a representative for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reported that agency officers had collected evidence from the event and were compiling a report for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

Tuesday, according to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley, his staff will meet with agency personnel.

O’Malley stated, “I treat all crimes seriously, including the attempted felony theft at a fishing tournament.” These individuals will bear responsibility.

Monday, comment requests were sent to Runyan, Cominsky, and Fischer.

Fischer apologized in a Facebook post following the event for the cheating controversy.

“I’m sorry for letting you down for so long, and I’m delighted I caught cheating occurring in YOUR LEWT [Lake Erie Walleye Trail],” he wrote.

Disgusted men and women, I’m sorry for letting you down for so long, and I’m pleased I discovered the cheating in YOUR…

Lake Erie Walleye Trail published the notice on Friday, September 30, 2022.

“I trust that you now understand that when I say, “You constructed this LEWT, and I will defend its integrity at all costs,” I mean it. Everyone deserves the best, “Fischer added.