Nick Wehry Accused of Cheating in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

One of the male contestants in Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, Nick Wehry, has been accused of cheating during the sanctioned event, according to a report.

The New York Post reported Tuesday, citing two unnamed sources, that the video showed Wehry moving an extra plate onto the pile in front of him after the competition ended, increasing his score by five full hot dogs. Empty plates are used to determine the official tally of hot dogs consumed at the event, and the Post reported that Wehry lingered on stage and was caught on camera appearing to shuffle and move items — including at least one plate — around the table in front of him.

Wehry, who was originally given 46.75 hot dogs, finished in fourth place, but a recount later revealed that an extra dish had increased his score by five points, to 51.75. Wehry’s fourth-place prize was $1,000, according to the Post.

Major League Eating (MLE) is the official sanctioning organization for the event. Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, 39, won the men’s event with a total of 58 hot dogs and buns.

Wehry denied the allegations in a text message to the Post, saying he “stole nothing,” while denying the claim that he “demanded a recount” of his initial score.

“If the MLE determines that I was miscounted, then correct my number,” Wehry told the Post. “My ranking wouldn’t change if that were the case. I would never want to take a ranking or a number that I didn’t deserve. I would never cheat in a contest for any reason. People who know me know that.”

According to the Post, Wehry is the husband of Miki Sudo, the women’s champion, whose score of 51 hot dogs and buns marked the first time a female competitor has surpassed the 50-hot dog threshold.

“I watched Nick the whole time, there was a camera on him the whole time, there’s no way the judges could have made a mistake,” Sudo told The Post by phone.

According to the Post, MLE investigated the cheating allegations and refused to overturn the results.

“The MLE investigated, carefully reviewed the complaint and reviewed the videos provided to us,” the organization said in a statement, according to the Post. “Like many other professional sports leagues, our policy is not to overturn judges’ decisions after the final results are recorded.”