posted November 16, 2005
BASS officials are confirming that angler Paul Tormanen of Lees Summit, Mo., was arrested and charged with contest fraud by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries following the weigh-in at last weeke's CITGO Bassmaster Central Open.
Tormanen was subsequently disqualified from the tournament and –after admitting he violated state law – was banned from all future BASS tournaments for his unsportsmanlike conduct. Conduct in BASS tournaments that reflects unfavorably on sportsmanship or fair competition are grounds for disqualification.
Reports indicate that while pre-fishing, Tormanen put bass on a stringer and staked them out in the lake. He returned during the tournament and retrieved the fish to weigh-in.
"We appreciate the help of the angler who alerted us to this misconduct so that we could act swiftly," said BASS tournament manager Jon Stewart. "This type of behavior will never be tolerated in any of our tournaments."
Including the event where he was arrested, Tormanen has participated in two other BASS events. He has never been "in the money."
Tormanen was the recent winner in a Heartland Pro-Am Championship in Kansas. He won a $40,000 boat and motor in that event.
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