Brothers to pay $150,000 in Columbia River fishing fines

by The Associated Press
Thursday January 22, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/brothers_to_pay_150000_in_colu.html

Four brothers have agreed through a plea bargain to pay $150,000 in fines for commercial fishing offenses on the Columbia River.

The investigation by Oregon State Police wildlife officers extended from October 2005 to January 2007.

Police say 45-year-old Michael Heuker of Bellevue, Wash., and his three brothers from Cascade Locks pleaded guilty on Jan. 14 to falsifying business records. The three brothers are 43-year-old Timothy Heuker, 39-year-old Thomas Heuker and 38-year-old Daniel Heuker.

The four use gillnets to catch salmon and sturgeon on the Columbia.

Police said they documented more than 50 violations centered on falsifying fish tickets, which are required by the state and must be completed by the wholesale dealer to document fish caught.

-- The Associated Press