The arraignment of Missouri angler Paul Tormanen on contest fraud charges stemming from the Red River Bassmaster Central Open has been rescheduled for Jan. 20. The arraignment had been set for Dec. 21, but a spokesperson in the office of Natchitoches Parish (La.) district attorney Van Kyzar said Tormanen notified the court that he did not receive notice in time to appear. "With him living out-of-state, that's probable," the spokesperson said.
If Tormanen pleads not guilty to violation of Louisiana Revised Statute 14:214 (felony fishing or hunting contest fraud), a trial date will be set.
According to the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) offense report, Tormanen admitted that he tied six fish to stumps prior to the start of the Nov. 10-12 tournament, then weighed them in during the first 2 days of the event. One of the tethered fish was discovered by a fellow competitor during practice and marked for identification by LDWF wardens.
Tormanen was disqualified from the tournament and banned from BASS competition for life. If convicted, he faces maximum penalties of a $3,000 fine, imprisonment for a year (with or without hard labor), or both.
