An entrepreneur says he'd rather go to jail than take off a big flag at a North Carolina store

STATESVILLE, N.C. – A Chicago entrepreneur said that a fine and a possible jail sentence would not prevent him from displaying an American flag, deemed too big by the local government, outside his vehicle store in North Carolina.

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Marcus Lemonis is CEO of Camping World Holdings Inc. and co-owner of Sweet Pete's, which was featured on CNBC's reality show "The Profit," reported The Jacksonville Business Journal. A 40 'x 80' American flag is currently displayed outside Gander RV, in Statesville, NC, owned by Lemonis.

A local ordinance states that flags must not exceed 25 feet by 40 feet. As a result, Lemonis is fined $ 50 a day until he reduces the size of the flag.

Local officials told Lemonis that they were concerned about the proximity of the flag with I-70, he said in a recent interview with Fox News.

"They claimed that it could cause an accident on the highway because it was too embarrbading. It was too good, "said Lemonis.

In May, the city filed a lawsuit against Gander RV, ordering the company to remove the flag and pay a $ 11,000 fine. According to the complaint, local officials initially warned Camping World of the size of the flag in September 2018.

Lemonis said that he would pay the fines but would not withdraw the flag, adding that he would prefer to go to jail.

"When veterans come to the stores for the flag raising, and when they come on Saturdays and do their veterans' walks, and that they cry at the bottom of the flagpole, that's all." is the belief that I must say that it just will not fall I would rather go to jail, "said Lemonis.

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