‘Pawn Stars’: Rick Harrison’s Mom is Suing Him – Here’s Why
Pawn Stars‘ Rick Harrison faces real-life drama that could overshadow his reality show trials as his mother, Joanne Harrison, filed a lawsuit against him. But why is she suing her son, the star of the History Channel series?
Pawn Stars: Rick Harrison Sued by 81-Year-Old Mother
Joanne Harrison, mother of the Las Vegas pawn shop owner, filed suit against her son, Rick Harrison on February 24, 2022. The lawsuit names her son, his pawn store, and other properties owned by him and the family.
Rick said the lawsuit has no merit and told a local Vegas news outlet that “my 81-year-old mother is being manipulated by others for their personal gain”. Is the Pawn Stars celeb right about this?
The suit claims that more than 20 years ago, while Joanne was in a medical crisis, post-coma in the ICU, her son made her sign over her shares of the family’s businesses to him. The suit says her husband (aka the Old Man) told her to let it slide.
Nine years later, Pawn Stars debuted. And another nine years later, Richard Harrison (the Old Man) died in 2018. On his death, Joanne inherited her husband’s part of the business, with Rick retaining what she’d signed over to him.
She alleges that he’s in breach of his fiduciary duties with regard to her inheritance. And Joanne says he cut her distributions from $25k a month down to $20k a month down to nothing for six months during the COVID pandemic.
Will History Channel Star go to Prison?
Some are asking if his mother’s allegations could send Rick Harrison to prison. And they wonder if he’s been arrested. The answer to all this is no. This is a civil lawsuit — there are no criminal charges, so no risk of an arrest or jail.
Joanne alleges that her Pawn Stars son isn’t providing documentation of earnings and assets. She also says cash and silver are missing. And she said Rick cut her stake in businesses she co-owned without her consent.
Plus, Joanne says Rick used some of her assets to secure a $3 million loan. She also filed, then dismissed a restraining order. Instead, her lawyers sought an injunction to stop him from “siphoning” assets from the business.
He said he tried to talk to his mom but has been “unable to reach her”. Joanne’s legal team says the Pawn Stars lead was taking more money out of the family businesses than he’s entitled to, based on his ownership stake.
Joanne’s health conditions require round-the-clock care totaling roughly $15,000 a month. Her lawyers allege that Rick Harrison’s leading a “comfortable life as a celebrity” while she is “left frightened and unsure” that her expenses will be paid each month.
What do you think? Is Rick Harrison grabbing more than his fair share of the Pawn Stars‘ shops’ profits?
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