The dispute is now playing out in bankruptcy court, where Straub asserts that he, not Fleming, purchased the Miss America assets in 2022. His attorney, C. Craig Eller, argued that Fleming never had managerial or ownership authority, and that the bankruptcy filing was necessary due to her refusal to grant Straub access to financial records.
Pageant Future in Limbo
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Erik P. Kimball has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for January to determine the legitimacy of the bankruptcy case and ownership claims. The hearing was set to allow the annual Miss America pageant, scheduled for Jan. 5 in Orlando, to proceed as planned and to facilitate discovery between the parties.
Legal Representation
Fleming is represented by attorneys from Carlton Fields PA, including Bruce J. Berman, Gene Rossi, and Justin L. Chretien, as well as Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, including Benjamin G. Chew, Jessica N. Meyers, and Camille M. Vasquez.
Counsel for Straub in the racketeering suit was not immediately available.
Implications of the Lawsuit
This case highlights the high-stakes legal battles surrounding the storied Miss America pageant, which has faced challenges in recent years. Fleming’s lawsuit not only seeks damages but also aims to secure her rightful ownership of the organization amid allegations of deceit and coercion.
