Fishermen involved in cheating scandal at Ohio tournament plead guilty

Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky, a Walleye Trail Angler, have pleaded guilty to multiple counts of cheating and unlawful ownership

Two men who allegedly cheated to win a competitive fishing competition have pleaded guilty to charges, including cheating, according to the Cuyahoga County Office of the Prosecutor.

The cheating allegations surfaced in September when Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament Director Jason Fischer became suspicious when the fish turned in by Jacob Runyan, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Chase Cominsky, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, were significantly heavier than typical walleye.

Runyan and Cominsky will no longer be allowed to fish for three years after they pleaded guilty to cheating and unlawful ownership of wild animals. Cominsky also agreed to give up his bass boat worth $100,000.

Both men are scheduled to be sentenced May 11. The prosecutor will recommend a sentence of six months’ supervised parole and then ask for their convictions to be expunged if they successfully complete their sentence.

The plea is Cominsky’s first step toward moving on with his life and taking full responsibility, said his attorney, Kevin Spellacy. A message seeking comment was left with Runyan’s attorney.

Five Walleye Containing Lead Weights and Fillets, and a Bucket to Add to the Fun: Two Accusants in One Plea

Five walleye contained lead weights and fillets according to the affidavits. Officers from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources confiscated the fish as evidence.

“This plea is the first step in teaching these crooks two basic life lessons,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley in a statement Monday.

In open court on Monday, both men admitted their guilt, as part of their plea agreement, and also agreed to forfeit ownership of the boat and trailer used in the tournament.

He told CNN last year that the fish in the bucket looked like they had four pounds in them, but the total weight indicated they would have to be at least seven pounds.

The tournament host said he had pulled from the walleye, which was allegedly placed by the two accused to increase the weight of their catch.

Runyan stood silently by as spectators in the crowd yelled at him, in a video that was shared with CNN last year.