Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

As per WONews.com today http://www.wonews.com/t-MikeHartProsecutedbyNevada.aspx

Thats Awesome. Just in time for the Holidays.

gixxer464 wrote:Thats Awesome. Just in time for the Holidays.

I couldn't agree more, its good to see this prosecuted send a message to the other **** bags that cheating will not be tolerated. Hats off to WON BASS on handling this difficult issue with dignity and not covering it up; their cooperation and actions should be a benchmark for other tournament organizations to use. Great job Billy Egan and WON BASS>

+1 Ash you hit it on da head

Nice- I was hoping to see this happen

WON editor called the Nevada Department of WILDLIFE and gotr some additional details regarding the charges and the original article on WONEWS.COM has been updated:
http://www.wonews.com/t-MikeHartProsecutedbyNevada.aspx

Time to bring the fishing hooks out and hang him by his baby makers if he has any.

I don't fish tournaments. I've fished a few but not many.
I would imagine that the 'growth' you go through either as a team member or an individual is about the same: initially you shoot for having a 'good tournament', then it's making the top 10, then it's cashing a check, then it's winning a tournament.
The last one has to be the most special. To stand up on that podium and hold that 'winners' trophy and know that for at least that tournament you were the Best. That has to be a special thrill.

This guy took that magic moment away from some deserving folks; those people who finished second to him in a tournament.
I do feel sorry for those fisherman that got cheated out of that moment on the podium.
- Wolfeman

Does anyone know where his picture might be? Im just curious if ive seen him on the water ever.

BassFan.com
Dock talk....
Alleged Cheater....
He is the guy in the Phenix Hat and Phenix Shirt kneeling in the back of a Ranger Boat.

The problem is, even if he's convicted, he probably won't have to spend any time in jail. Look what happened to Conrad Murray at the Michael Jackson trial. He was convicted of taking part in the death of Jackson. With jail overcrowding, he may not even have to go prison or jail. He may just be put on house arrest. What Hart did, does'nt even compare to Murray. It's BS.

mobennett, he is being tried in nevada !! which means he might well do some time... depends how bad their fish and game and d.a. want to pursue this. they might try and make an example of his cheating, give hime some time to detour others from doing the same thing ?? going to be intresting for sure

Let's hope so Kane-o. I didn't think about them in Nevada.

Its Nevada with the million casinos, I am sure this isn't the first time someone has tried to cheat for monetary gain.

I saw him the other day on a street corner in Los Angeles.

kane-o wrote:mobennett, he is being tried in nevada !! which means he might well do some time... depends how bad their fish and game and d.a. want to pursue this. they might try and make an example of his cheating, give hime some time to detour others from doing the same thing ?? going to be intresting for sure

What kind of message would it send to the judge, if we as anglers, showed up in droves at the courthouse on the first day of the trial demanding he be dealt with swiflty and to the extent of the law? and not granted a plea deal which I am sure he will probably try.

I bet there's a ton of guys around here looking for a reason to make a roady to Vegas...

Obviously, we want to police the game and feel we're safe out there in the tournaments--and all the places where catches, recognition and rewards are on the line. Just note, the "system" is not going to view such behavior as strongly as we do.

For example: http://kramergonefishing.com/2011/11/30 ... rpetrator/

George

I'm not sure who yur source is but Billy Egan got an order to appear in court, so it is not a preliminary trial. I'm guesing that happened some time ago. We were not advised about it, so we didn't report it. There are no witnesses or testimony at a preliminary trial, and it only takes a couple minutes and I'm guessing Mike Hart probably wasn't even there.

This is the real felony trial and deals are often made just before trial. I would guess it will be settled too, but I am just guessing. Most cases are settled, and I have no idea if they will go easy on him or not. Billy has been told that he will get a call the day before the trial, so I think they wait until just before that to meet and make a deal.

I wouldn't want to be in Mike Hart's shoes for sure and I think it is a huge deterent to others.

Hey, I hope the legal system takes the case seriously. (BTW: My source used the information in the WON news release to make the legal assessment). But my real point continues to be: don't think they're hanging the last bad guy. They're not. Continue to maintain a tight rein all you do, and keep any future damage to a minimum.

Inquiring minds want to know. Was there a verdict? Did the WON Bass team make an appearance in the courts of Nevada? Was Kramer right in his prediction?

I received a call on Thursday of last week from the DA's office. They notified me that I would not be needed to testify at the hearings, as Mike Hart and his team had accepted a plea bargain. He was charged with 1 count attempt to Fraud, and 1 count Disorderly conduct. The Judge was supposedly going to finalize his sentencing on Friday, but at the end of the day, we still had not heard the final outcome. As we get more information, we will be sure to keep you all posted.

Mike Hart did wrong, and will continue to pay the rest of his life.
He has already lost everything he worked years to attain.
Curious how we all get so head up about someone cheating in a fishing tournament, and yet we don't seem to get anywhere near as angry about the banks and mortgage brokers who ruined the entire world's economy. They haven't paid squat.
Maybe we're just happy to have someone we can actually see punished for a change.
But I think we need to keep things in perspective.

mark poulson wrote:Curious how we all get so head up about someone cheating in a fishing tournament, and yet we don't seem to get anywhere near as angry about the banks and mortgage brokers who ruined the entire world's economy. They haven't paid squat.

Amen brother!

mark poulson wrote:Mike Hart did wrong, and will continue to pay the rest of his life.
He has already lost everything he worked years to attain.
Curious how we all get so head up about someone cheating in a fishing tournament, and yet we don't seem to get anywhere near as angry about the banks and mortgage brokers who ruined the entire world's economy. They haven't paid squat.
Maybe we're just happy to have someone we can actually see punished for a change.
But I think we need to keep things in perspective.

Isn't that what the Occupy Protests are about?

mark poulson wrote:Mike Hart did wrong, and will continue to pay the rest of his life.
He has already lost everything he worked years to attain.
Curious how we all get so head up about someone cheating in a fishing tournament, and yet we don't seem to get anywhere near as angry about the banks and mortgage brokers who ruined the entire world's economy. They haven't paid squat.
Maybe we're just happy to have someone we can actually see punished for a change.
But I think we need to keep things in perspective.

Mark,
Do a web search for 'hedgefund manager found guilty' and you will see that at least a few of the scumbags are being tried and convicted. More will follow. It takes time.

The difference is we only know those bankers from the newspapers and news show we see on TV. This guy was right there amoungst us. More personal.
- Wolfeman

Thanks for the update, Billy. Keep us posted.

Wolfeman wrote:

mark poulson wrote:Mike Hart did wrong, and will continue to pay the rest of his life.
He has already lost everything he worked years to attain.
Curious how we all get so head up about someone cheating in a fishing tournament, and yet we don't seem to get anywhere near as angry about the banks and mortgage brokers who ruined the entire world's economy. They haven't paid squat.
Maybe we're just happy to have someone we can actually see punished for a change.
But I think we need to keep things in perspective.

Mark,
Do a web search for 'hedgefund manager found guilty' and you will see that at least a few of the scumbags are being tried and convicted. More will follow. It takes time.

The difference is we only know those bankers from the newspapers and news show we see on TV. This guy was right there amoungst us. More personal.
- Wolfeman

Wolfeman,
Our tax dollars are still paying for their bonus', and their lifestyles. And they're ramping up the foreclosures even more, with more bogus paperwork and circuitous requirements that are designed to make people give up. Stinks, especially since it was our tax money that bailed them out in the first place.
I'm just tired of "the rich get rich, and the poor get poorer".
As for Mike Hart, I was just thinking it was starting to sound like a lynching. If we truly believe the system works, let's let it. No body likes nailing bad guys more than law enforcement, and it's their job.
Hat's off to WON Bass, and to Billy Egan, for how they handled this whole afair from the very beginning.
First class!

Brian D. wrote:Thanks for the update, Billy. Keep us posted.

http://www.westernbass.com/forum/viewto ... 57&t=74838

Agreed Mark.

Again, kudos to WON Bass. Only a few tourney circuits could have persevered and stayed vigilant in the civil actions. Several years ago another circuit would have kept something of this magnitude quiet citing some internet-boogeyman who was spewing libelous banter and that it would ruin the case. Pfft..

wow thats a real slap on the wrist, compared to all the money he ripped off from so many different tourneyment anglers. granted he has ruined his fishing reputation, but that fine is a joke... traffic tickets can be more than that chessy fine...