Marcus Lemonis, the chairman and CEO of Camping World got an unimaginable lawsuit against him and his RV location, Gander RV, from the city of Statesville, North Carolina back in May. The lawsuit states that the business is violating city ordinance by flying an American flag that is much larger than what the city permits for businesses.
https://www.facebook.com/campingworld/photos/a.197846710379/10156977435950380/?type=3
On May 20, the city of Statesville, North Carolina released a statement stating that Gander RV has a permit approved for a 40×25-foot flag on its property but instead flies a 40×80-foot flag – which is prohibited by the city. Since October 2018, the city has been charging Gander a $50-per-day fine until the flag is replaced.
Lemonis, who is famous for his show The Profit, publicly tweeted the City of Statesville to let them know that the 3,200-square-foot flag isn’t going anywhere.
Hey @cityofsvl we have received your lawsuit regarding our #usflag #AmericanFlag. It will not come down. pic.twitter.com/eiVV8tAtz2
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) May 18, 2019
While Lemonis isn’t budging, neither is the city. In a Facebook post, they said that they stand by the flag and its representation, but they take their laws and ordinances very seriously.
https://www.facebook.com/CityofStatesville/posts/2487311614621371:0
Recently, Lemonis paid a visit to Statesville to address the controversy firsthand.
“Bottom line is, the flag’s not coming down,” he said to reporters.
He also said that if the trial goes forward and he does not take the flag down, “I’d be in contempt of court, which…I’m willing to go to the end on this issue.”
“I’m willing to go to jail,” he continued.
https://www.facebook.com/fox46charlotte/videos/1315745441910883/?v=1315745441910883
Just a couple days after that statement, Lemonis tweeted out his team’s legal answer to the City of Statesville, alleging that North Carolina constitutions “protect the right to fly an American flag of any size” as long as it’s not a safety hazard, and to his knowledge, the flag at Gander RV is not.
He tweeted out copies of the filing.
Part 1 of our legal answer for #theflag in @cityofsvl @AP @USATODAY pic.twitter.com/kjwIzeEZhO
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) June 5, 2019
Part 2 of our legal answer to @cityofsvl pic.twitter.com/piyt8piPTI
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) June 5, 2019
On June 17, the Statesville City Council voted down the proposed flag ordinance, which deems the flag flying at Gander RV too large.
This happened a few hours ago https://t.co/Ex1daS6gSL pic.twitter.com/td5GbA9EBe
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) June 18, 2019
Despite this problem, Lemonis maintains that he will not take down the flag, or fly a smaller one.
Did this really happen @cityofsvl ? You tell people one thing when they are in front of you.. the flag isn’t coming down.. ever. .. see you in court. #unreal pic.twitter.com/uRy72MvzCG
— Marcus Lemonis (@marcuslemonis) June 18, 2019
“See you in court,” he tweeted.
Watch Lemonis’ reaction to the vote below.