13 anglers in line for disputed White Marlin payout

The president of the world’s largest billfish tournament said a disputed winner, two rounds of lie-detector tests and a court filing won’t hurt the event’s popularity or reputation.

“What we are trying to do is what is ultimately best for all the participants,” said Jim Motsko, president of the White Marlin Open in Ocean City.

“We are the stewards of the tournament.”

The 43rd annual event, held Aug. 8-12, has not awarded its $2.8 million top prize after court documents show the winner, Phillip Heasley of Naples, Florida, showed deception on two different polygraph tests.

The tournament has asked a circuit judge to look at the evidence and determine payouts, a process last undertaken in 2007.

A hearing date has not been set.

BACKGROUND:White Marlin Open withholds prize, says winner failed polygraph

Named in the lawsuit is everyone who would be entitled to a share of the winning prize – 13 men from North Carolina to New Jersey – if the judge decides Heasley violated rules.

At least one has hired at attorney, said Joseph E. Moore, an attorney for the White Marlin Open.

He said having the court decide the winner protects the tournament itself from legal liability from the 13 possible winners.

“If we pay this money out, my client is at risk of being sued by the person or persons who did not get the money,” he said of the tournament.

Further, the prize winnings do not belong to the tournament at this point.

“We’re trying to be an impartial stakeholder of somebody else’s money,” said Moore.

The massive tournament drew 329 registered boats, which paid a minimum of $1,000 each – many paid more – to participate.

But how a fishing tournament moved from a boat dock to a courtroom has been an eye-opening experience for those not familiar with big-bucks angling.

Tournament rules stipulate winners of top prizes may be asked to pass polygraph tests.

THE DAY OF THE CATCH: Big fish hooked, just one white marlin on Day 2

While Moore acknowledged the results of polygraph tests are not admissible in court, the tournament still can require the tests.

The first test was administered at an Ocean City hotel Aug. 13, while the second was administered in Salisbury on Aug. 21, by two different services.

Paul Carey of Allied Polygraph Services and David Saneman of Saneman’s Polygraph Services reported Heasley used “countermeasures” on the lie-detector – alleging he tried to manipulate the answers – and showed deception while answering questions specific to the tournament.

Heasley maintained his innocence before the tests and released a statement afterward, saying the boat’s crew and captain “will be vindicated and walking tall in the fishing community.”

Motsko said the tournament is only following its rules. “I am not calling them liars,” he said.

Also in question is exactly when the winning white marlin was caught. The tournament claims a catch report seems to have been altered, showing an original catch time outside of tournament rules.

Now, the tournament once ready to crown a big winner will leave it up to a judge.

“Everybody’s going to get their day in court,” said Moore.

Said Motsko, “We have to guarantee and ensure everything is ultimately done the correct way.”

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