Trial is set to begin Monday for a Hermitage man and a Cleveland man charged for allegedly cheating when they competed in a fishing tournament.

Jacob Runyan of Cleveland and Chase Cominsky of Hermitage are scheduled to go on trial in a Cuyahoga County courtroom on charges of cheating, attempted grand theft, possessing criminal tools and unlawful ownership of wild animals.

Runyan and Cominsky were accused of cutting open and placing lead weight in fish during the Lake Erie Walleye Trail tournament in Cleveland this past Fall.

Lake Erie Walleye Trail Director Jason Fischer was alarmed when a seemingly 4-pound Walleye weighed in at 8-pounds. Fischer cut open the Walleye and found lead weights inside.  Video of the discovery went viral on social media.

Runyan and Cominsky were disqualified from the competition and escorted from the park.

The boat and trailer used by Runyan and Cominsky was seized at the home of Cominsky to help with the investigation.

Participants paid $35 entry fees to join what is billed as Lake Erie’s largest walleye fishing tournament that offers some sizeable prizes.

In addition to a total of $25,000 in weekly prizes over the four weekend-long tournaments, first-place anglers could win a $125,000 boat.

The second place prize is a $110,000 boat.  Third through fifth place prizes range from $65,000 to $45,000.