Former AC Casino Owner Files Lawsuit Over Miss America Ownership

Glenn Straub, the former owner of an Atlantic City casino, filed a lawsuit last week, challenging the ownership of the famous pageant, Miss America. In the recently filed lawsuit, he explained that he is the owner of the Miss America IP, the company which in December 2022 acquired the Miss America Organization. As announced by BreakingAC, the former Atlantic City casino owner filed a lawsuit with Palm Beach County, Florida, challenging the ownership of the popular pageant.

In his lawsuit, Straub alleges breaches related to fiduciary responsibilities, as well as trademark infringement. Moreover, he is claiming damages in excess of $20 million. Straub’s lawsuit claims that he fired Miss America’s CEO, Robin Fleming, back in April. However, he alleged Fleming remained in her role and in fact abused her power to transfer $200,000 from the company to herself.

The former owner of the Revel Casino alleged that the transfers, completed by Fleming, were done without the required authorization. What’s more, Straub alleged that the former CEO held the company “hostage” as she diverted business and did not permit the organization to access certain bank accounts.

Besides the $20 million, the lawsuit seeks “an award of damages for the monies wrongfully taken and converted” by Fleming. As of Tuesday, Fleming has not responded to the lawsuit in court, while the Miss America Organization is yet to post a statement on the matter.

Miss America’s CEO Responds to the Allegations

Although Fleming is yet to respond to the lawsuit in court, she went on social media to address the legal battle. Releasing a statement via Instagram, the executive claimed that she is the sole and rightful owner of Miss America, adding that she refuses to be “bullied by Straub.”

Fleming explained that her involvement with Straub was about “a corporate entity that provided a line of credit, most of which has been repaid.” The executive wrote that the threats against her by Straub were documented. Finally, she claimed that Straub tried to defraud Miss America, which was “another blatant effort by a litigious individual who is awaiting a felony trial and who has a history of civil and criminal matters involving harassment and fraudulent documents.”

The globally recognizable Miss America pageant started back in 1921. At the time, the event was held in Atlantic City but has switched locations on a number of times. Since 2019, the pageant is taking place in Connecticut.