Unraveling the Controversies: Pawn Stars’ Most Notorious Legal Battles

The show “Pawn Stars” takes place in a famous Las Vegas pawn shop where valuable items are bought and sold, leading to numerous questionable events throughout the series. The History Channel documentary features Rick Harrison and his family running the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop located near the Las Vegas Strip. Each episode showcases a variety of items brought in by customers, ranging from jewelry to unusual items like dinosaur eggs, with Rick expertly evaluating their value.

At times, customers try to sell stolen goods, hoping for a quick profit. Nevertheless, Rick and his team maintain strict procedures, ensuring they document the seller’s information for law enforcement and Homeland Security. Unfortunately, items do sometimes slip through the cracks, costing the Harrison family money when they are later identified as stolen. In one incident, Rick shared with NPR that he lost $40,000 on a set of diamond earrings due to a seller’s credit card fraud. The police eventually confiscated the stolen jewelry. This scenario is not unique; Rick has encountered several legal issues over the years.

From lawsuits to arrests, the cast of “Pawn Stars” has navigated various scandals, confirming that legal troubles extend beyond just their customers.

Legal disputes among family members aren’t unheard of, as evidenced by the case of Rick Harrison. In February 2022, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that his mother, Joanne Harrison, filed a lawsuit against him, claiming entitlement to a majority ownership stake in the pawn shop. After Rick’s father, Richard Harrison, passed away in 2018, Joanne asserted that she unknowingly forfeited her shares to Rick while in a coma in the early 2000s. She also alleged that Rick had concealed details about her late husband’s finances and neglected to provide her with monthly payments.

The situation escalated the following month when Joanne sought a temporary restraining order against Rick. This order sought to guarantee monthly payments and prevent Rick from hiding family assets. According to the restraining order, Joanne described herself as fearful of not being able to cover her medical and living expenses while Rick lived comfortably as a celebrity. The current status of the lawsuit remains unknown, leaving the possibility of an unresolved family feud.

Austin Lee Russell, better known as “Chumlee,” found himself in hot water amid a sexual assault investigation in March 2016, as reported by USA Today. Though not directly implicated, authorities discovered meth, marijuana, and firearms in his residence. This led to a total of 20 charges against him, including 19 for drug possession and one for weapons. After the arrest, Rick Harrison expressed support for Chumlee, stating they would provide help as needed.

Chumlee avoided jail time by agreeing to a plea deal that involved attending counseling sessions, as covered by CBS News. His sentence included three years of probation, during which he was required to remain out of legal trouble; if he succeeded, he could have the felony weapons charge dismissed, leaving only the misdemeanor drug offenses on his record. So far, Chumlee has managed to stay clear of any further legal issues.