I think the whole thing is fishy. Two supposedly giant bass from the same tiny lake. Both let go with minimal documentation. I wouldn't make either one the record, with as much at stake as almost any bass angler worth a couple waterdogs knows, in a million years.
I might be tougher even then the IFGA, but people will do ANYTHING for money and publicity. I mean ANYTHING! I can completely understand some people wanting to release a great fish, but two such fish at the same lake with so many questions??? Too much at stake to allow that without the fish, or at least a state biologist having seen it. I bet about 5 million Southern bass anglers are saying right now, "that dog don't hunt!"