Lawsuit claims American Bass Anglers bounced prize checks totaling over $100,000 as law enforcement probes possible fraud
By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
ATHENS, Ala. — An Athens-based fishing organization is under fire after multiple tournament participants claim they were handed bad checks as prize money — and still haven’t been paid weeks later.
American Bass Anglers (ABA), which hosts bass fishing tournaments nationwide, has been named in two legal complaints filed by a Georgia attorney on behalf of unpaid winners from the Military Team Bass Tournament held at West Point Lake in Georgia from April 30 to May 2.
Veterans Rick Bradley of Florida and Chad Ardis of South Carolina, whose teams placed in the tournament, say they are still owed roughly $2,400 in combined prize money. Attorney Joe Durham, who represents both anglers, said the issue goes well beyond just these two.
“I’ve heard from over 40 anglers with similar complaints,” Durham told AL.com, alleging the organization has issued bounced checks totaling more than $100,000.
Pattern of Payment Failures
The legal filings claim every check issued during the Military Team Tournament bounced, and similar issues were reported at the 2025 Ray Scott Championship held in Lake Eufaula, Alabama, earlier in April. According to the complaint, only one participant at that event was able to cash their check.
Durham said several participants were also hit with return fees by their banks — and those have not been reimbursed either.
While ABA President Morris Sheehan has publicly acknowledged the issue, Durham said that behind the scenes, the organization has shown little transparency or accountability.
“Sheehan keeps saying he’ll follow up, but I’ve heard nothing,” Durham said Friday. “It’s just more empty promises.”
ABA Responds, Promises Change
In a statement issued in late May, Sheehan said the payment issues were caused by “unexpected system issues” and insisted they were not intentional.
On June 2 — just one day before Durham filed suit — Sheehan released a follow-up statement assuring anglers that “corrective actions have already been implemented” and that going forward, cash payouts would be issued at the rampfor all ABA events.
“I take full responsibility,” Sheehan wrote. “I’m working personally with affected members to resolve each matter.”
A notice about the new cash payout policy is now posted on the ABA website.
Possible Criminal Charges Loom
Durham said the legal action may escalate. He’s considering asking a judge to place ABA into receivership — a move that would appoint an independent party to investigate and manage the organization’s finances.
He also confirmed that law enforcement agencies are now involved.
“Bouncing checks falls under deposit account fraud,” Durham said. “Given the number of checks and total amounts involved, this could rise to the level of felony charges.”
If the number of affected anglers continues to grow, Durham said his team may pursue class-action status.
“All we want is accountability,” he said. “If next year’s events are already fully supported, then where is the money for this year’s winners?”