Investigators say seven people have been charged with fishing fraud in a South Texas tournament.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game warden Jason Duke said Thursday that the suspects allegedly submitted a 2.6 pound flounder not caught during the contest.
The South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce sponsored the Aug. 10-12 Ladies Kingfish Tournament. Duke says the defendants won a $5,000 second-place prize.
Duke says warrants were served last weekend to four women who entered the tournament and three men. All have been arraigned and are free on bond.
The fraud in a fishing tournament charge is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
A message left with the chamber for comment was not immediately returned Thursday.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
