A Hermitage man accused of cheating in a fishing tournament by putting weights in fish is facing more legal problems, this time involving fake currency passed at a bowling alley.
On Monday, Chase Elliott Cominsky, 36, and his son, Kayden Cominsky, 18, both of 840 N. Keel Ridge Road, Hermitage, were charged with conspiracy to commit forgery and related charges after employees said fake $100 bills had been passed in Ten Pin Alley, 3825 E. State St., Hermitage.
In a criminal complaint filed with District Judge Mary Ann Odem, Farrell, Kayden was charged with forgery, trademark counterfeiting, and theft by deception.
During video surveillance on Jan. 20, a $100 bill with “For Motion Picture Purposes Only,” “Not Legal Tender,” and other writings is seen being passed by Kayden for $56 worth of services. Kayden receives $44 in change for the bill.
Known as “movie money,” these fake bills differ slightly from real bills and are marked with markings and text that indicate they are fakes.
Kayden, a high school senior, told police he gave one of his friends $100 to pay for bowling and then paid another $100 when his time was up.
According to Kayden, he received the bills a couple of weeks ago when he sold his PlayStation to someone in Akron, Ohio.
Kayden told police the $100 bill was fake and his dad gave it to him. Police also found text messages between father and son discussing how the $100 bills worked.
He was also charged with stalking and harassment in October after Jefferson Township police said he harassed a woman through text messages.
As the woman drove home in Jefferson Township on Oct. 17 just before 1 p.m., Chase sent her a harassing text message, police said in a criminal complaint. She told police that Chase began following her shortly after the text, sometimes traveling dangerously close to her car.
According to police, Chase attempted to speak with the woman after she arrived at her home. The woman, however, remained in her vehicle until police arrived.
Later, police said Cominsky continued to harass the woman via text messages.
Chase is facing new legal difficulties following the filing of charges on Monday.
Chase and Jacob Runyan of Broadview Heights, Ohio, pleaded not guilty to cheating, attempted grand theft, and other charges in October.
Cominsky and Runyan are accused of cheating to win the $28,000 top prize in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail fishing tournament by improperly putting weights in the fish they caught.
In late October, Pennsylvania and Ohio authorities seized Cominsky’s fishing boat in Hermitage. Runyan had been charged earlier this year with domestic violence and unlawful restraint.
Davis scheduled Cominsky’s preliminary hearing for May 22 and ordered him released on unsecured bond.
The latest case has not yet been scheduled for a preliminary hearing .
As a general rule, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty or adjudicated guilty.
Sources: TheHerold
