The owner of a Martinez business has answered a lawsuit filed against him by an Arizona company.
The federal lawsuit was filed on April 9, 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia in Augusta on behalf of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Golf Travel, LLC. The lawsuit names Joe Mullins, Joe Mullins Sports and Entertainment, LLC, and up to 30 unnamed co-defendants.
Golf Travel, LLC, filed the lawsuit claiming the defendants breached a contract to supply practice round tickets and four-day badges to the 2018 Masters Tournament.
MORE: Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Businessman Joe Mullins, Demands $2.5 Million in Damages
In the response, filed late last week, the defendants deny they defrauded the Arizona company, nor did they breach a contract.
The response also said Mullins admits owning Mullins Sports and Entertainment, LLC; however, “Defendants deny that Joseph Mullins is the alter ego of Mullins Sports and Entertainment, LLC, or any other corporate entity.”
Golf Travel’s complaint also claims Mullins committed violations of Georgia’s RICO law (Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), specifically wire fraud, mail fraud and theft by deception.
In a motion to dismiss filed last week, the defendants said, “Plaintiff has failed to properly plead a claim of fraud or RICO against Defendants. Plaintiff has only stated a breach of contract claim against Defendant Mullins Sports and Entertainment LLC. Therefore, Plaintiff’s other claims should be dismissed.”
Mullins asked the court to grant the judgement in favor of the defendants and to dismiss the complaint with prejudice.
No ruling by the court has been posted.
This is not the first time Mullins has faced lawsuits connected to the sale of Masters badges.
In 2013, Global Events Management Group, Inc. said it had a contract and paid for 100 badges that Mullins failed to provide.
That lawsuit was settled out of court in January 2017. Terms of the settlement were not made public.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
