‘RHOC’ Newcomer Katie Ginella Sued for $5 Million Over Theft and Fraud!

‘RHOC’ Newcomer Katie Ginella Sued for $5 Million Over Theft and Fraud!

Real Housewives of Orange County newcomer Katie Ginella is caught in a legal storm as a recent lawsuit accuses her of stealing a groundbreaking golf business idea.

The complaint, filed by Chad Ruskey on July 31, demands Katie Ginella, 40, and her partners, George and Dolores Salman, turn over all profits from their golf-related enterprise, Tee Shots. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract and fraud, with Ruskey claiming the trio swiped his original concept for a golf-themed alcohol product.

According to court documents obtained exclusively by In Touch, Ruskey asserts that he developed a novel product — a golf ball-shaped shot glass designed to hold alcohol. The product, dubbed the “Golf Shot,” features a spherical glass mimicking the appearance of a golf ball, intended for sophisticated drinking experiences. Ruskey even crafted a larger version, the “Magnum Gift,” designed to hold 1.75 liters of liquor.

In his filing, Ruskey claims he conceived the idea in February 2023 and filed a patent application for it. He also registered the working titles “Golf Shot” and “Tee Shots.” Ruskey alleges that he shared his idea with George Salman, who expressed keen interest in partnering to bring the concept to market. Ruskey claims that after agreeing to a partnership, George and Dolores Salman, along with Ginella, conspired to launch a rival company using his idea.

“Unbeknownst to me, Defendants George and Dolores began conspiring with Ginella to form a competing company to exploit my idea,” Ruskey’s lawsuit states. “They lacked the ability to create successful businesses on their own and saw an opportunity to capitalize on my innovative concept.”

Ruskey’s complaint goes on to accuse the defendants of leveraging Ginella’s anticipated fame from her role on RHOC to market their product. The lawsuit alleges that George, Dolores, and Ginella envisioned substantial profits by using Ginella’s reality TV exposure to promote the product, accelerating their financial gains.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants established Tee Shots in Wyoming, a state known for its business registration secrecy. Ruskey claims this was a deliberate move to hide the true ownership of the company and evade scrutiny. The complaint also notes that Tee Shots filed for a trademark on the name in September 2023 and began promoting the product on a new website and social media accounts.

Ruskey is demanding $5 million in damages and seeking an injunction to stop Ginella and her partners from selling the product. He also requests that any profits generated from the business be turned over to him.

Daniel Do-Khanh, the lawyer representing Ginella and her partners, responded to the allegations, denying any wrongdoing. “Katie Ginella, along with Dolores and George Salman, have not been served with any lawsuit by Chad Ruskey against them at this time,” Do-Khanh stated. “Ms. Ginella and the Salmans were previously contacted by Mr. Ruskey’s attorney about claims of being in breach of a partnership to develop a golf-ball shot glass business, and they denied having any business ties or arrangements with Mr. Ruskey. Mr. Ruskey’s claim to a unique idea of a golf-ball shot glass is unfounded. Ms. Ginella, in particular, has had zero dealings or prior contact with Mr. Ruskey, and will vigorously defend against being frivolously named in the lawsuit.”

As the legal battle unfolds, Ginella’s involvement in the RHOC franchise adds another layer of intrigue to the case, amplifying public interest in the dispute. The outcome of the lawsuit could have significant implications for Ginella’s burgeoning reality TV career and her golf business.

 

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