Robin Fleming and Glenn Straub disagree over who owns the Miss America Organization.
By LYNDA COHEN
A $20 million lawsuit filed by a former Atlantic City casino owner raises questions as to who really owns Miss America.
Glenn Straub is the owner of the Miss America IP LLC, which acquired the Miss America Organization in December 2022, according to a civil suit filed Thursday in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Straub claims he ousted pageant CEO Robin Fleming, whom he alleges stole more than $200,000 from the organization and held the company "hostage" by refusing to turn over access to the financials.
The lawsuit lists four counts, including breach of fiduciary responsibilities and trademark infringement, and alleges damages of more than $20 million.
Fleming told BreakingAC she is the sole owner and her "legal team will respond to this fictitious lawsuit in the courts."
"As Miss America's sole and rightful owner, I refuse to be bullied by Mr. Straub," she wrote in a statement posted on her Instagram story. "His only involvement was to direct me to a corporate entity that provided a line of credit, most of which has been repaid."
She pointed to a public listing for the limited liability company that names her as the registered agent.
"The Florida Sunbiz site does not list the members of the buyer LLC, only 'manager' and officers," Straub's attorney, Larry Zink, told BreakingAC.
The asset purchase agreement that was part of the exhibits filed by Straub, lists Fleming under buyer with her title as president.
The limited liability company agreement which begins on Page 21 of the attachment See Exhibit 1 lists Straub as manager, sole director and sole member.
