Pro fisherman, popular YouTuber Ben Milliken charged with fishing tournament fraud

[Dwight Hottle]

https://www.dailysentinel.com/news/local/pro-fisherman-popular-youtuber-ben-milliken-charged-with-fishing-tournament-fraud/article_7a9d1efc-8fff-5ba1-94f7-b14520ec8879.html

[J Francho]

Yeah, I just saw it. Something doesn't add up here. 

[Glenn]

UH OH!!

https://www.dailysentinel.com/news/local/pro-fisherman-popular-youtuber-ben-milliken-charged-with-fishing-tournament-fraud/article_7a9d1efc-8fff-5ba1-94f7-b14520ec8879.html

 

 

[A-Jay]

Here We GO.  . . . .   

A-Jay

[casts_by_fly]

My complete guess?  Forgot to buy his license, caught a big one, went to register and went “oh crap” and hoped no one would notice the dates. 

[LrgmouthShad]

This is a comment

[FishTax]

Can getting arrested be click bait? Interested to learn more but I'm sure this only helps his YouTube. 

[A-Jay]

Not passing judgment. 

But the comments on Candy Randy's YT video are just classic and indicative of the current state of mind of so many derby fans.

👌

A-Jay

[bowhunter63]

Been following bass fishing tournaments for a long time . It’s seems all you hear is bs and drama cheating ect anymore. There shooting holes in there own boats . 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

This doesn't qualify as cheating in my book.....

 

 "it was discovered that Milliken did not have a valid fishing license at the time the fish was caught and knowingly falsified the contest/tournament entry form,” Maggie Berger, spokesman for Texas Parks and Wildlife said in an email."

 

While being a liar and breaking the law by not having a valid fishing license is certainly terrible behavior, this in no way merits the accusations of "cheating" which will have a tremendous negative effect on him.

 

There was a guy who won a NPFL event a couple years back, it was discovered he didn't have a valid license at the time of winning and had to forfeit the money and win.     At no time was the moniker of cheater ever leveled at this man, and rightfully so.    

 

Milliken is his own worst enemy, and I'm not carrying his water, but as a community we need to be very selective when we actually accuse anglers of cheating imho. 

[Happybeerbuzz]

Nobody gets arrested for just fishing without a license.  He had to be mouthing off to a cop or doing inappropriate things with the wrong person's sister or something.  Also, "freshwater fishing tournament fraud" sounds like something made up for the occasion.  I am purely speculating and only know what has been posted to this thread up to this point. 

 

[J Francho]

gnevermind!

[Glenn]

1 hour ago, FishTax said:

Can getting arrested be click bait? Interested to learn more but I'm sure this only helps his YouTube. 

It should be. His next video will be, "The TRUTH About the Fishing Scandal—I'm Being FRAMED! Shocking Evidence They Don't Want You to See!"

[king fisher]

As with many things in life, I do not have enough information on this matter to form any kind of knowledgeable opinion.  It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out in the end.  I trust our justice system will provide adequate punishment if punishment is due.  It does seem odd they didn't simply write him a ticket, but like I said, I have zero first hand knowledge on the matter, and wont be on the  jury, so I will simply have to wait and trust that the truth and justice will win out in the end.

[J Francho]

I'm guessing that the alleged claim to the $10,000 purse warranted more than an appearance ticket. Just guessing based on what has been shared already. Couldn't really care less about his fate. He's irrelevant to me. 

[WRB]

Rules for thee but not for me sound familiar!

Tom

[bishoptf]

4 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Not passing judgment. 

But the comments on Candy Randy's YT video are just classic and indicative of the current state of mind of so many derby fans.

👌

A-Jay

That made me laugh, Candy Randy...lol

[Catt]

Knowly & willing falsifying documents for monetary gain.

 

Yeah that ain't cheating

[Kirtley Howe]

I will refrain from any speculation until all the facts and info are available. 

[MichaelN]

Why not check licenses at registration.  Surprised they don't.

[Catt]

2 hours ago, MichaelN said:

Why not check licenses at registration.  Surprised they don't.

 

Ben wasn't fishing a tournament

 

"In February, Milliken caught a Legacy Class ShareLunker largemouth bass at Lake Naconiche and falsified his contest entry form, Texas Parks and Wildlife officials said."

 

https://www.dailysentinel.com/news/local/pro-fisherman-popular-youtuber-ben-milliken-charged-with-fishing-tournament-fraud/article_7a9d1efc-8fff-5ba1-94f7-b14520ec8879.html

[Choporoz]

I fished for a couple weeks last July with an expired license.   I have also fished on trips to other states a couple times before remembering to buy a license.   And I think I am pretty attuned to it.  Easy to imagine how it can happen where I would have trouble calling it cheating. 

  Not defending him.  Don't care about him.  Just defending against premature internet outrage.

[rangerjockey]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Are the barbers in Texas on strike ?

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

I have no problem with cheating. Heck!  At any time I expect to be arrested for impersonating a bass fisherman.

[Swamp Girl]

10 hours ago, king fisher said:

As with many things in life, I do not have enough information on this matter to form any kind of knowledgeable opinion on this matter.  It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out in the end.  I trust our justice system will provide adequate punishment if punishment is due.  It does seem odd they didn't simply write him a ticket, but like I said, I have zero first hand knowledge on the matter, and wont be on the  jury, so I will simply have to wait and trust that the truth and justice will win out in the end.

 

Again, if you were simply a funny, paddling, DD angler, I'd admire you, but your lucidity here is your sundae's cherry.