Former OCC Building To Be Auctioned March 9, 2016. Paul Teutul Sr Facing 1.4 Million Lawsuit.

1occ2occThe well known property in the town of Newburgh, New York where Orange County Choppers was building its customized motorcycles will be auctioned on 3/9/2016 at 10:00 AM PST. Starting bid is $900,000 for all the real estate valued at 13 million.

OCC surrendered the building that holds its custom-made motorcycles in 2011 to its lender, which then sold it to a Dallas, Texas-based company. Paul Teutul Sr. says his company has leased the space and that the auction won’t impact its business.

A bankruptcy trustee representing a subsidiary of Orange County Choppers is suing the parent company and its owner, Paul Teutul Sr., to recover 1.4 million he says was fraudulently transferred from the subsidiary at the behest of and for the benefit of the defendants. Explanation of the lawsuit after the jump.

The OCC building sitting on approximately 1 acre of land is as famous as Paul Teutul Sr and Paul Teutul Jr who became instant celebrities when they were featured in 2002 in the TV reality show American Chopper on the Discovery Channel, continued in 2007 on sister channel TLC, to end on the CMT network in 2013. In one way this auction symbolizes the end of an era of TV (non)reality motorcycle shows supported by the public at large but intensely criticized by the majority of custom industry professionals.

The facts of the case go back to the mid-2000s, when the debtor, formerly called Orange County Choppers Merchandising and now called Hudson Valley Merchandising, licensed trademarks, copyrights, logos and likenesses of Orange County Choppers to various companies for merchandising items such as T-shirts, hats, party goods, cake decorations and other consumer products. At the time, the lawsuit says, Orange County Choppers, the Town of Newburgh-based builder of custom chopper-type motorcycles, owned 20 separate Choppers-styled entities.

In 2006, Orange County Choppers filed a lawsuit against Olaes Enterprises, or ODM, a company it did business with, claiming it breached consumer product license agreements.

ODM filed a counterclaim against Orange County Choppers, Orange County Choppers Merchandising, and various Choppers licensees, charging them with infringing on ODM’s copyright. Two years later, several other companies joined ODM’s lawsuit against Orange County Choppers.

In 2009, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York settled all claims between ODM and the Choppers entities. But in 2011, the same court ruled against the debtor and in favor of six of the counter-claimants. It also ordered Orange County Choppers to pay for their legal fees. However, the lawsuit alleges that between 2009 and 2010, when the company was battling claims of copyright infringement in court, it transferred more than $1,453,200 to Orange County Choppers in 44 separate payments.

In January 2013, Orange County Choppers Merchandising filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, effectively agreeing to the sale of its assets to pay its many creditors. But by then, the debtor was insolvent and unable to pay its debts. Those debts remain unpaid to this day, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit holds Teutul responsible for the transfers, saying he had sole control of Orange County Choppers and its affiliates, including the debtor, which shared offices and employees with its parent company in Newburgh. It alleges that between Jan. 2009 and Dec. 2010, Teutul received about $1.4 million from Orange County Choppers. It also alleges that Teutul caused these transfers to be made. The trustee, Thomas Genova, is seeking the return of the $1.4 million plus interest, attorney fees and other relief.

The current layout of the 61,305 SF building a combined 20,000 SF for retail store, restaurant, and bowling alley operations on the 1st floor of building adjacent to the showroom displaying their customize motorcycles and the industrial portion of the building. The second floor office space has been vacated by OCC and could be leased to other tenants. The property has a total of 178 parking spots with a large portion of the parking available in covered garage below the building. Property showings will be offered on Thursday, February 25th and Thursday, March 3rd between 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM local time.

40 Responses to “Former OCC Building To Be Auctioned March 9, 2016. Paul Teutul Sr Facing 1.4 Million Lawsuit.”


  1. 1 Brett Garner Jan 29th, 2016 at 9:34 am

    Well, they made a fortune. Good for them…

  2. 2 Joshua Jan 29th, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Thought Sr. had already lost his building to the lending bank.

  3. 3 Guy Jan 29th, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Are occ still going and whats happened to Paul jr? I enjoyed watching OCC but thought most of the bikes were shite. Whatever you say about them it brought attention to the custom scene and that has to be a good thing.

  4. 4 smithncustom Jan 29th, 2016 at 10:32 am

    good riddance to the “donks” of the motorcycle world…… hey there’s a dog turd let’s attach it to our next custom!!!

  5. 5 Zenaldo Jan 29th, 2016 at 12:08 pm

    Where’s Ricky P these days ?

  6. 6 ernie Jan 29th, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    Can’t blame them for selling anything. If you need to point a finger, point it at all the tards wearing the OCC gear, driving an F150.

  7. 7 PA2PLA Jan 29th, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    Most people joined the OCC bandwagon. Hell, I even have a picture in the front of that building with my, now, ex wife. They helped bring attention to the industry which was cool. I’m not a fan of all the stuff they did to their bikes but if nothing else it was an entertaining show and sparked other biker build off shows, FTS, etc. which most people enjoyed. Maybe the Paul Senior bobblehead I have will be worth big money someday…….I doubt it…..but maybe.

  8. 8 smithncustom Jan 29th, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    i thought it was poser bullshit then and it’s poser bullshit now. Just my opinion though. I’m sure i’m a poser to someone somewhere

  9. 9 Drew Jan 29th, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    Now THIS is good motorcycling television.
    https://youtu.be/541RwJSUhNc
    🙂

  10. 10 BlkBkr Jan 29th, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    Wonder if they finally came down to earth and started build a rider’s bike.

  11. 11 Badams Jan 29th, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    It’s business.

  12. 12 highrpm Jan 29th, 2016 at 10:53 pm

    really tired of the faked shop drama driven by the stupid meet-the-tight-schedule. i would not last even one day as a new employee in that kind of wolfpack shit.

  13. 13 nicker Jan 29th, 2016 at 10:58 pm

    No, can’t “blame them” for wanting to make money….
    Sure can blame the customers that bought into the image being portrayed…. idiots all of them.

    Moreover, if that’s the image you want bringing “attention to the custom scene” then you diverse all the negative legislation and attention that such “stupidity” brings with it.

    -nicker-

  14. 14 REV. JIM Jan 29th, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    Not a single person building custom scooters would have turned down that opportunity and turned out the same crap if they were making the millions and receiving product from Snap-on, Miller, and the rest so their company would receive free air time and exposure . That’s what bikers have become , Synomous with Hipocryte !

  15. 15 john reed Jan 29th, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    REV JIM
    Not everyone.

  16. 16 Steve Carr Jan 30th, 2016 at 6:12 am

    I know one who “is” a better con artist than he ever “was” a builder.

    Steve Carr

  17. 17 domino Jan 30th, 2016 at 7:02 am

    There are those who say they are … and those who are …

    ………. Domino Dave ………..

  18. 18 MSP Dan Jan 30th, 2016 at 7:41 am

    “The current layout of the 61,305 SF building a combined 20,000 SF for retail store, restaurant, and bowling alley operations on the 1st floor of building adjacent to the showroom displaying their customize motorcycles and the industrial portion of the building.”

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    “Bowling alley operations” pretty much sums it all up in one simple phrase.

  19. 19 Blackmax Jan 30th, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    Good !!!!

  20. 20 Guy Jan 30th, 2016 at 1:22 pm

    John Read, you are a Legend. I salute you Sir. Englands finest.

  21. 21 Sportman Jan 30th, 2016 at 2:30 pm

    You can say what you like about OCC but the did give motorcycles some attention they would have maybe never gotten. I like Paul Jr. and really feel sorry for Sr. he got in over his head for his education and the fame took his life and family. Wish him well and all of the family and especially the long time employees that had to endure so much. It wasnt fair to the workers for what was required of them. Best wishs to all concerned. The industry is a better place because of OCC.

  22. 22 Johnny Gypo Jan 30th, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    I thought Orange County was in California.

  23. 23 zipper Jan 30th, 2016 at 9:35 pm

    You can say what you will about OCC but they made the best boat anchors ever. ..Z

  24. 24 DJ Jan 31st, 2016 at 7:42 am

    @Rev Jim.. You say nobody would have turned it down.. Jesse James was the first one offered the show and he turned it down.
    Whoever asked about Rick P.. I just saw on Facebook that billy lane shared a pic of rick with a brand new baby and a reference to “RPD” he has had his own thing going for a while.

  25. 25 Septic the Sceptic Jan 31st, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    Nope, Jesse James didn’t turn it down. OCC was targeted deliberately by the producers to be an east coast balance to Jesse’s work in Cali.

  26. 26 Heavy Metal Jan 31st, 2016 at 5:12 pm

    Ugly motorcycles and ugly logo on the building. After trying to watch the show a couple of times I gave up but I did figure out that I hated junior. The rest of them were shoe shine boys for senior.

  27. 27 Builder Jan 31st, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    DJ. What is your source. Gossip? the show was not offered to JJ. A pilot was done about the Teutels.. They had a real fight front of the camera. The producer decided, rightly, that make them argue front of the camera would create a good show. After the pilot fight, father & son never thought that they would not be selected. They were retained because fighting is what makes people watch. Fights were scripted, then there was a real conflict making the show lasts longer. I know because I know both Sr & Jr.

  28. 28 bigalyts Feb 1st, 2016 at 12:07 am

    What a Great Place and Building for Big John Staluppi to open a Museum to Display his Car Collection. He has purchased at least 20 Cars alone on this Weekend alone at Barrett Jacksons Auction in Scottsdale Az.. Close to home and HE can STEAL this Property and he owes this Deal to Cyril!

  29. 29 Scott Hakins Feb 1st, 2016 at 10:01 am

    To MR. John Reed who would never sell out to anyone, this man is a true MASTER BUILDER. For those that do not know John and Genny, look him up in the AMA hall of fame.
    I had the pleasure of working with John at CCI.
    He is a true MASTER.

  30. 30 Vrodder Feb 1st, 2016 at 10:03 am

    It’s like Adele vs Miley Cyrus. If you have real talent, you don’t need all the shock and awe antics. Tuning in to OCC you saw the antics helping to fill in the void where talent should be. Watch a show like Bitchin’ Rides about Kindig Designs, and you will not see yelling and wrench throwing antics. Just master craftsmen displaying lots and lots of talent.

    Just my two cents…

  31. 31 boston jim Feb 1st, 2016 at 11:31 am

    I live 2 hours south of Laconia, hence, I’ve been there every year since 1969. My understanding was a shop from NH, was chosen for the show. Then the producers found out, he wasn’t a “Fabricator”, so they went with OCC, with the infightinging & the size 12 boots! The 1st show was about the building of the Jet Bike, for Laconia, it rained that whole week, NO SHOW. OCC, drove home all wet!

    PS, my favorite Bike Shows were Monster Garage, with Indian Larry, RIP!

  32. 32 mike Feb 1st, 2016 at 11:57 am

    like Guy said, it brought a lot of attention to the bike build thing. multitudes of people bought chassis, engines, forks wheels. all good for the industry. Same with jesse james

  33. 33 Joannie Kay Feb 1st, 2016 at 12:10 pm

    Just for “The Record OCC signed a ten year lease the end of September 2015. It is binding and transferable. OCC is doing well and staying put. This was all a result of negligent reporting. Amazing that you can print first and ask questions later. Usually they have Paul Sr be killed off. I guess being auctioned off is better then killed off LOL. Great food, fun place. They are filming for several upcoming shows.

  34. 34 Jim Watson Feb 1st, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    Whatever. . .

  35. 35 nicker Feb 1st, 2016 at 10:33 pm

    RE:
    “… brought a lot of attention to the bike build thing…”

    Sort-a like Bernie Madeoff who brought a lot of attention to the whole investment “thing.”

    Hmmmmm… Actually, this could be entertaining… like;
    – The ACORN political machine bringing a lot of attention to the voting thing….
    – Sigfried & Roy bringing attention to the save the tiger thing…..
    – Oh Bummer bringing attention to the Religion of peace thing……
    – etc…etc….. 🙂

    -nicker-

  36. 36 THHN Feb 2nd, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    IIRC Paul Sr. paid for the original pilot episode out of his pocket, the show was his baby to begin with.

    OCC did bring a lot of new people into the motorcycle world for the first time, that’s true. I’m not one of those who believe that that was a good thing for the motorcycle industry as a whole.

    Sudden fame and wealth is certainly a difficult thing to manage, but the man had a steel erection business for years before OCC, it’s not like he had zero experience handling money and making decisions. When you squeeze an orange, all you get is orange juice because that’s all that’s inside the orange. Similarly when you put pressure on a person, you get to see what’s inside that person.

  37. 37 coma Feb 3rd, 2016 at 7:31 am

    Haha, Bernie Madoff!

  38. 38 Paul Feb 3rd, 2016 at 11:24 am

    I liked Senior a lot.His ungrateful siblings screwed up the whole business on him,Too bad you cant pick your relatives Hang on there Paul Senior!

  39. 39 jdiamond Feb 8th, 2016 at 10:46 am

    I said it way back then: that building was his only mistake. It was a cathedral to ego.

  40. 40 J FIO Feb 10th, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    Too bad for you Bigshot, you should have taken my challenge to build a bike against each other and when completed donate them to a charity of our choice.Like I told him we can do it in a back lot no TV for me, this was in 2008 when things started to go down the crapper I just needed a reason to build a bike just like when he started it was all about the bikes until the frisbees and T-shirts…………………………………………………….. FB Jack Fiorvante Deadwood choppers

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Cyril Huze