BassFan Reported 1st: Elite Series angler Mark Menendez has filed a formal complaint with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, alleging that a man harassed him Friday during day 2 of the St. Lawrence River Elite Series. Menendez said he filed the complaint Saturday and he expected authorities to gather witness accounts from his day-2 marshal and another boater who saw the incident transpire. Menendez said the altercation was verbal in nature and no physical threats were made against him.
Menendez did not know the man’s identity, only that he’s “68 years old and from Rochester, N.Y.”
Joseph Munn, the officer handling the case for the NYS DEC, declined to comment on the matter Saturday night since the investigation is still ongoing.
New York, like several other states, has laws protecting anglers from harassment on public waterways (click here, then scroll to Section III.A) and Menendez says he plans to defend his rights to the fullest extent.
“A long time ago, I was given some advice by a longtime fishing friend,” Menendez said. “He told me, ‘You’ll always go far in this business if you’re just nice to people.’ I’m just flabbergasted that someone could be that ugly. I feel very strongly that I’m doing the right thing. Read more: http://www.bassfan.com/news_article/7328/menendez-files-complaint-after-day-2-incident#.VcCsWfl27fd#ixzz3hqcu72rv
By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor