What we know in battle over White Marlin Open winnings
A storm of controversy has surrounded this year's White Marlin Open. A winner was declared, but later the tournament announced the prize money was being withheld, lie detector tests were given and a court case was opened. Now 13 anglers are waiting with bated breath to see who will get a piece of the $2.8 million prize.
Heasley hooks sole qualifying white marlin
At 76.5 pounds Phil Heasley's white marlin was the only qualifying fish in that category. He hooked the white aboard the Kallianassa of Naples, Florida. The fish was worth a cool $2.8 million. The prize money that would have gone to the second and third place finishers in the white marlin category all went to Heasley, as well as other rulings that increased the sum to almost $3 million.
RELATED: Heasley wins $2.8M as 2016 White Marlin Open closes
White Marlin Open withholds prize money
Tournament officials began investigating a possible rules violation and were withholding the $2.8 million prize, they announced in a statement on August 23.
"Subsequent investigation as required by the rules and regulations of the White Marlin Open indicated a possible violation of the rules. Accordingly in an effort to achieve utmost fairness, the White Marlin Open Directors met with the independent judges and complete information was provided to the judges for their input with regard to the issue of the potential violation of rules," the statement said. "After much discussion, and providing evidence of the possible violation of the tournament rules, the judges agreed that the prize would not be awarded to the boat catching the qualifying white marlin, but would, in accordance with the rules of the tournament, be withheld pending the determination of the proper recipient of the prize money."
READ MORE: White Marlin Open win in dispute; $2.8 million up in air
Angler maintains innocence
Heasley, who is both the captain of the Kallianassa and the angler who reeled the fish in, maintained his innocence and promised that he and his crew would be vindicated.
BACKGROUND: Disputed White Marlin Open winner maintains innocence
Officials: Polygraphs reveal lies
Polygraph tests conducted with Heasley and members of the crew revealed deceit, according to court documents filed on behalf of the tournament. Heasley was found to have lied when asked if he or any of the crew had knowingly violated any of the tournament rules. Additionally, Heasley was determined to have lied when answering specific questions about regulations of the tournament, including whether he had help catching the fish and whether he had passed the sea buoy before 4 a.m.
READ MORE: White Marlin Open says winner lied, broke rules
Who will cash in?
The White Marlin Open has asked a circuit judge to look at the evidence and determine payouts. A hearing date has not been set. Named in that suit is everyone who would be entitled to a share of the prize money, 13 people in total.
BACKGROUND: 13 anglers in line for disputed White Marlin payout
Past winners speak out
Winners from previous White Marlin Opens shared their stories of taking polygraph tests, weighed in on tournament rules and discussed this year's controversy.
READ MORE: Veterans of White Marlin Open critique polygraph
Breaking down the White Marlin Open rules