Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul M. Teutul jr.
I am sure that many of you in the motorcycle world have watched the TV show American Chopper. American Chopper is a reality TV show about the company Orange County Choppers. Its stars are the infamous Teutul family; Paul Teutul Sr., his son Paul Jr., and of course Mikey.
Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul M. Teutul had a very public falling out, which was chronicled on American Chopper. In the Season 6 premiere, Paul Sr. and son had a contentious contract dispute, which led to Paul Jr.’s departure from the company. After a brief reconciliation, Paul Jr. left the OCC for good to explore other opportunities. In later episodes, Paul Jr. was seen working as a consultant at Orange County Choppers.
It has been reported that Paul Sr. sent a letter to Paul Jr. exercising an alleged right to purchase Paul Jr.’s share of the stock he owns in Orange County Choppers since Paul Jr. no longer works there.
Paul Teutul, Sr. claims he had a deal with his son, Paul M. Teutul, in which he could buy his son’s stock from the Orange County Choppers Holdings, Inc. motorcycle company.
The father, who appears on the television show alongside his son, sent Teutul, Jr. a letter saying he would be exercising his right to buy the stock.
Paul Sr. apparently has filed the lawsuit to the Supreme Court of New York; however I have not seen a copy of the lawsuit heretofore. He also filed a suit against Orange County Choppers, Inc.
In the lawsuit, he claimed damages in excess of $1 million and is asking for an order from the judge to force his son to give him the stock.
My take on the situation is this; yes I have watched the show for years. It is better than watching some of the other crap on TV I will tell you that.
I have been a businessman since I was in my 20’s, when I first got venture capital to start Daylight Data Corporation in Los Angeles, and am now running a successful California law firm.
Being successful at business requires management expertise, capital, and luck. It appears to me that Paul Teutul Sr. has been a very successful businessman. He started out installing railings; he worked hard and built his business into a metal manufacturing company, and then started Orange County Choppers. He then used the TV show American Choppers as a marketing vehicle to build his successful business.
There is no doubt that his son really did help with Orange County Choppers, however, in the end, it is the businessman who keeps a company going.
I learned in law school that you never want to represent friends or family because you will never do well enough in their eyes no matter the outcome in a case.
You would think family run businesses would be the easiest to run because of the trust factor. Let me tell you, it takes a special kind of family to stick together to run a business. Unlike other businesses where you can hire and fire at will, it is kind of hard to fire your son, or your brother, etc.
It is a shame that the Teutul’s family business relationship has apparently broken down. My personal take on the situation is that Paul Jr.’s head grew too big for his britches. He designed motorcycles, he started making money, he got the big house, he got the nice looking girlfriend, he obtained fame, etc. He started screwing off at work. Not coming in on time. He became unreliable to his father. Above all, he disrespected his father on national television.
Look, I know full well Paul Sr. is an asshole sometimes. Hell, he and my father would get along well if they were too meet. Paul Sr. did not ask anything more of his son, than a son should give to his father and a family owned business.
Without Paul Sr.’s capital, management expertise, and experience, Orange County Choppers would be a non entity. Motorcycle designers and fabricators are a dime a dozen. Paul Jr. could be, and has been replaced. I think Orange County Choppers are putting out their best motorcycles now.
I think Paul Sr. wants nothing more than to have his sons with him; as sons, not as monsters.
In my honest opinion, Paul Jr. should go to his father, apologize for being an asshole to his father, make amends, and jump back into the family business. Maybe when his money starts to run out he will.
Life is too short and you only get one father in this world. Paul Jr. and Mickey should jump back on the team for the big win, especially for their family.
Good luck to Orange County Choppers in all of their endeavors.
By California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and California Biker Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., © 2010
I lost my dad suddenly on March 29, 2010. I always respected him, even though I didn’t always agree with him and never yelled at or fought with him. I can’t imagine how painful it would have been to lose him with the bitter feelings Mikey and Paul Jr. have towards Paul Sr. I’m telling you boys to swallow your pride and make amends with your dad while you can. You will regret it later if you don’t.
love dad while he is still here,cos after is too late,so what hes pig headed ,you will have kids one day and say well dad was right!.
listen boys,i lost my dad ten years ago and i still wish i could say things to him,when paul sr got angry when you guys came in late its cos he cared,cos he wants you to be better than he was at your age,and not make the same mistakes,the times you fellout before and he broke down,now i think he has had enough ,maybe he should have given you a small wage and treated you like employees.jr your girls got you round her little finger,wake up make up now before its too late.mikey must get these two back together and save this family,save the company save your selves .do it for grandma.the old mans looking really frail,i hope you guys dont live to regret what you are doing .i think senior would like nothing better than to leav the company to his boys,i am sure of that.
To this learned and well equipped viewer, I believe the penultimate moment of the entire “American Chopper” series was when the family burned out the yellow jacket nest. It was and still is the only intelligent act I have witnessed on that show. Paul Sr…you are a dry (or maybe wet) alcholic businees man who should probably just shoot yourself, “Jr”…go to college and really learn how to design, “Mikey”…you should probably just shoot yourself too.
if you didnt have the drama all these a- holes portray it wouldnt be on the tele maybe there faking the whole stupid thing who realy gives a fuck any how its television !!!not real life!!
I personally thought the whole fake bickering crap was boring and watch the show to see the cool bikes. Paul Sr was so fake and macho, kinda like Elvis trying to act in a movie, he could sing like a bird but act, I don’t think so. Anyway best of luck to the whole family. Someone posted here that life is to short for family’s to fight but money rules a lot of people and evidentially it ruled these people.
ok.If you have never dealt with an egomaniacal father then you will never understand . I started working with my father when I was 12 on the weekends . My father was a brick mason and very good . All that said , I was a labor and did all the crap work for 15 years having to deal with all the times when i put in ten hours a day only to be told the pay was putting my feet under my father ‘s table . We can sit back and arm chair quarterback this thing but untill you see the behind the scenes stuff over a lifetime you will never know all of what went on . I left the family in 2001 and became a truck driver . my oldest brother got the buisness and closed it in 2005 . i saw my dad 6 mos before he died of liver cancer . not for him but for me .I know this sounds selfish but i had issues to be resolved and came to the conclusion it was a mistake because with personalities like the one that paul sr and my dad share they never think anything they did was wrong . so while we can sit back and point fingers the truth is we dont know. and as to the insulting crap that the staff says about the kids, i would bet the bank they took that que from dear old dad. What i found in retrospect in my own situation is that men like this cant accept anyone who might be better than they are and will destroy anyone who is . This includes family .I feel for jr and mikey and hope for their own sanity they get help so they dont pass this on to the next generation , god help this family.
all i wanted to do was watch bike bilds i love bikes.but ther was the bickering and all the crap.it was if the bikes come last the crap first.how does a farther and son get to all this.ther was some good guys at occ.nubs his paint jobs well what can you say great.vinnie.ok mikey fun guy not in to bikes but thats mikey.an rick great guy all the guys who made occ what it was.then it all went down the pan.what is left to say.a new bike show yes but not occ.is all the crap comeing back.or will we see bikes well it is a bike show i think i have said all i can so lets just wait and see.L.B.M.from manchester england.22.june 2010.stay safe on your wheels guys and lades to.
I think its a shame,I never had a father around after the age of 5yrs.It sadens me to see two young men who have it so good and to be so blessed,to have a father that worked so hard,and yes he had some luck with him,but look what has happend, do to Paul srs. life!I beleave the chance he took in starting the steel buisness lead him to were he is now.Life is a chain event.How many times have you thought (IF I ONLY WOULD HAVE DONE THAT INSTEAD OF THIS??)From what I have seen I know most fathers have there a-hole times,but a good one never stops trying or loving and giving for his family.I think them two boys need to suck-it up & be more thank-ful.
LOVED THE SHOW,WISH IT WAS BACK. JR HAD A LOT OF INPUT AND WAS A VERY IMPORTANT TO THE COMPANY.SOMETIMES SR WOULD ARGUE OVER STUPID STUFF AND DID LITTLE TO BUILD BIKES.HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN HIS OFFICE AND LET JR RUN THE BUILDS.
Wow, what started as a quick news blurb has turned into an intervention. There are a few things that have to be remembered:
1- This is TV, it’s sole purpose is to sell products – advertising dollars drive the shows.
2- To sell products you have to have a compelling show that people will continue to watch – increasing the ratings – higher ratings means more advertising revenue. (and you thought they put these shows on for your entertainment)
3- They film countless hours just to get the 40 minutes that make up a one hour show. Therefore the producers show you what they want you to see – that which will make the most compelling or dramatic story, or create the most shock value. And the producers have never said that the show wasn’t scripted. (Go watch the filming of a “reality” show and see just how many takes they do to get the right shot)
4- Other than what is filed in the courts, we don’t actually know what is true and what was scripted. Making assumptions based on what you see on TV is, well, it’s just stupid.
5- Reality shows are lucky to last more than a year, much less the 6 that this show lasted. They were able to find success where others failed with a combination of drama, intrigue and talent, I only hope they planned for the eventual ending of the show. I truly wish everyone involved in this project the best in the future.
I worked for my father for 30 years and it’s not as easy as you’d think. You always get the jealously and resentment from people above you because they know in the end you’ll be eating dinner with the owner and letting him know anything they want to hide! Bottom line Jr. was cocky and arrogant sometimes, but he proved his heart was in the right place over and over and he had skills. It was SR who got too big for his britches and gambled on a huge building with no sense of the market conditions for loud expensive inefficient machines with no rear suspension! Jr certainty can see the future in motorcycling is not fat tire hard tail choppers! That’s business 101 folks and SR missed that call! Ouch! Having said all that I loved the show and wish they’d get back on track and let the new step mom stay in the kitchen and let the men run the business! My favorite bike was the POW bike! Bad ARSE!!!!
Mr Fernandez,
Paul Teutul jr has issues with Paul sr that go back to his childhood.Valid issues!This dispute isn’t really about money or who designed or managed what.It’s about two people admitting how they really feel about each other,too bad it’s father and son.
Maybe Paul jr could apologize to his father for some of the things he’s said and done.Maybe Paul sr should show his son some acknowledgment and tell him he loves him no matter what.I don’t think Senior has it in him.
You’re really more about numbers and business Mr Fernandez and less about feelings and emotions!
hi L.B.M.ther are plenty of things said about occ.it was a great show.sr had no respect jr.an the other way round.you earn respect.allthe dead lines must get to you.it was jr that was never late with one but sr still had to bad mouth jr all the time.i think vinnie had is fill of all the crap and left.cody must have had the same thing and went.we no what jr did.nubs did the best paint jobs that any man could do.and do we know who did a great job at makeing the best bike show go down the pan.well do we.o yes we do.i wil let you think about that one.so from L.B.M.25.june.2010.manchester england.stay safe on your wheels.
I think it was Jr’s designs that put Orange County Choppers on the map. My wife and I have watched the show from the very beginning. I really think Sr. is envious of Jr’s talent and it showed on almost every show and is still pretty obvious when Sr takes every opportunity to slam his son on TV. We really don’t see to much of that when they show Jr and Mikey. Almost all of the original cast is gone except for the old man. It really makes you think, and I also am sure that most, if not all his kids don’t want anything to do with their own Dad. The show just isn’t the same. I think Sr is the ego-maniac and he needs to put that in check for the show to continue.
I AM REALLY SORRY TO LEARN THAT PAUL JNR AND PAUL SNR HAVE FALLEN OUT, I LIVE IN ENGLAND AND WE HAVE ONLY JUST GOT THE PROGRAM ON AND IM HOOKED ALREADY, AS WE OWN A KAWASAKI Z1000 1980 THAT WAS ORIGANALLY FROM CALAFORNIA, I HOPE THEY PUT THEIR DIFFRENCES ASIDE AND CALL A TRUCE, FOR ALL THEIR SAKES. I MUST ADMIT PAUL JNR HAS SOME AWESOME IDEAS FOR THE BIKES. THE COMPANY REALLY NEEDS HIM.
Alan you are right. It’s too bad they cannot get their shit together. I feel that the son should respect the father. Trouble is that Jr. treats his dad like a partner instead of a dad. I would never treat my dad like that.
Norm
I have it set up to record on my digital video recorder. I can then watch it at my leisure. The show is better than most crap on TV, at least it is interesting.
Norm
Well I am hitched. Thanks for the comment with many facts to respond to
Yes I had a great bachelor party. My dad was able to make it, my sister picked him up from the nursing home with a foldable wheelchair. He even stood up and said a few words. I will post another article about the wedding with some pics! Most of the pics I have over the past 9 years were taken by Elizabeth believe it or not. She would make the great photographer. We are taking a cruise to Hawaii for our honeymoon; however we have to delay it a month or two because of her law school. Stay tuned for the article Sandy.
Norm
Norman I just heard today that this Thursday there will be a major announcement on American Chopper and that it will be the last show for the series. To be frank, Orange County Choppers made a name for itself on the TV show, and it may not survive without the TV show.
It was an interesting show.
Norm
I never hope that anyone fails. The way I see it what you hope bad on someone else comes back on you; god works in mysterious ways.
With that being said, I don’t think the corporations are going to pay for special construction motorcycles if they are not going to be featured on TV anymore.
I think the TV show was a major reason for the success of OCC but I could be wrong.
There would have been no OCC without Paul Sr., it was his money and expertise that got the company started. It could be argued that Paul Jr.’s designs are what made them successful. In the end, they self destructed. Too bad.
Norm
Well Vinnie and Cody left and opened their own shop called V-Force Customs, check here: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/vinnie-and-cody-from-occ-create-their-own-custom-bike-company/
and here: http://www.vforcecustoms.com/
Norm
For most of my articles I use Dragon Dictate to dictate the articles into text. Sometimes the software makes basic mistakes like you found. Unfortunately sometimes I do not catch all of the typos. Thanks for letting me know.
Norm
In humble opinion, the family feud killed the show and most likely the business. The fame and fortune go to to all of their heads.
In any case, they made more money then all of us probably ever will so I don’t feel too sorry for them.
Norm
Well BigTee I am no hotshot, and I have not started shit. I did write an article about the Teutul’s above. I disagree with some of your opinions. You started making sense until you went off into a diatribe about a son shooting his father, that is a friggen insane approach to the situation.
I don’t know about you, but I did not have a rich daddy that gave me jobs and money for school; I was in the Air Force at the age of 17 instead of going to 12th grade. I took the GED instead.
Anything I have gotten in my life was all on my own.
When I hear people crying for Paul Jr. or Mikey, each of which have huge houses and bunches of money, it is easy for me to keep things in prospective.
Norm
Joe I have to disagree. I would bring in the business man first no matter what. Money is not easy to raise or get. Talent is a dime a dozen if you have the money. With money you can hire any talent you need. Without the businessman nobody would ever know you.
Norm
GOD BLESS AMERICA.take care and beware..
IN THE EPISODE I WATCHED PAUL SR GAVE ONE MEMBER OF HIS STAFF RICK TO DESIGN HIS OWN BIKE & BUILD IT THEN HE STARTED TO COMPLAIN HE DID NOT LIKE IT INSTEAD OF LEAVING IT TO RICK AND HIS SONS?AS I AM A OLD SCHOOL BIKER I SEE RICK DESIGNED & BUILT A GREAT BIKE,WELL DONE RICK,MIKE&PAUL JR
I think Paul Jr. did the right thing, leaving his useless dad. Why? I watched the Liberty Bike episode last night, and Paul Sr. gave a comment of “I am going to do what I do best, supervise”. Yea that sums it up, you trash talk the crap out of your son on that episode, where are the parts to this bike, you never do things right. what were you doing all day? Kicking your feet up and relaxing. Worrying about your dumb dog all day. Vinny, Cody, Pauly, Mikey, etc. all left because of you. Just like above, you trash talk your son on National TV, you are a bad example of a father. Pauly made OCC, not you, just like the face offs before, Pauly will always win. Without the OCC employees you would be nothing. They are only there for a paycheck buddy.
To the writer of this article, you have no clue on how a business runs. We as the consumers follow the work of the designer, for quality, style, expertise, craftsmanship, etc. Just like the Bugatti Veyron, the top designer is now working for Audi, just by knowing this I would probably buy one as this person is just like Pauly. A business is not only about the way it is ran. And by the way, Paul Sr. isn’t the one that built OCC to the way it is, we can thank Ron Salsbury, and Steve Moreau for that.
According to Paul Sr. “I just want to Supervise”, yea you just do that buddy. Sit in your office all day, you and your idears, and your uh’s every 2 words you speak.
Love your show, Hope Paul JR comes to his senses and apologizes to the old man.
im not sure if sr or jr read the coments but ive been a fan of the show and abilitys but more so the gift and opertunity that sr has had and was given and has given for his family woking with family can be hard but is this what happins when you achieve in buisiness you begain to fail in family id rather be broke than broken losing a family member can be life altewring but giving them up can be like deth (before ahnore comes humility
I loved the OCC show and always looked forward to the next episode. It was not the same without Jr, Mikey and the usual gang. I agree 100% with the comment left by WES. The kids went thru hell from a very young age and the whole family dynamic is disfunctional. They have been thru counselling etc. but the past wounds are sometimes too deep and when your own flesh and blood turns on you..how does one fix that? Jr. and Mikey need to do whatever they feel they must to live a happy life and if that means being apart from their abusive dad, then so be it. All a kid ever wants is to feel that their parents are proud of them no matter how they turn out. I think Sr. will live to regret the decisions he has made. RIP OCC.
Sr thinks he knows it all and treats his son like crap, neither of them seem to appreciate each other at all. Jr needs to learn what it is like to run a business to see his fathers side of things in the real world you just can’t show up when you dang well please or the other things he did while working with his Dad. I also hope Sr will see how good is son is doing and acknowlege it also I honestly don’t see that happening.
I think the reason vinny left was because he was always gone from home on theose tours and he has three girls to raise as well as a lovable wife. he wanted to start his own business and be able to work his own hours. I do believe he is happy now and I doubt he had any hard feelings towrds OCC. He does have a websigt for his bikes, called V-Force Customs. Check it out.
The way I see it is that paul jr. is the backbone of the designs. sr. spends entirely too much time yelling and complaining about coffee cups. I do not think paul jr should have to give up his stock. If not for him the entire business would not be what it is. Anyone that thinks paul jr slacks off and wastes time should take into consideration that creativity is not something that can be put on a schedule. I understand that sr. is the business end of the shop, But take into consideration that running a profitable operation also depends on how you treat your employees even if they are family. People are only going to take so much crap. Paul jr. has five time the talent to design bikes that sr. has. and sr. does not appreciate the dedication jr has given. Jr, I am behind you all the way, Do you stuff.
I wanted to tell Paul Sr. that he is not much of a father to his children. He is still playing a tough guy role that he has always had. A real ASSHOLE
He uses the role to discise his many issues. What is really sad is that Paul Jr. is just like his father. Sad world…….
This is a classic example of greedy, egotistical people thinking that they have a contract for life. Tomorrow is promised to no one, Walter Payton said this and it’s a fact. One day it ends, everything is temporary. This father and son team seems to think that their situation is unique and they have all the time in the world to work this out or see how long they can hold each other off in this Mexican Standoff.. The 3 amigos need to wake up tomorrow and realize that they had a great run, made some dough and now need to enjoy their lives. Not too many father and sons teams get this opportunity in life. WAKE UP idiots and enjoy the few years you have together before it’s too late!
I think the fact that Sr. doesn’t have a relationship with any of his children answers the question as to who has the real issues in that family. NONE of his kids talk to him, before you remove the straw from anothers eye remove the rafter from your own Sr.
Sr (or respectively )Paul Sr. You Sir need a squeeze ball you relax your tensions. The show I believe, is showing how well Paul Jr. can orchestrate how well he can relax his side of bike building can be. You Sr, are going in for a noise dive soon BUT WAY TO SOON. The TWO of you can show OLD school with the New school technology. With all the upgrades out there You Sr. could REALLY step up to the plate to build ONE together. I know it has been said a million times on this site but it is TRUE ease up a notch. Then your GRUPPY old self will be liked a little more, what a concept Mr Paul Tuttle Sr. Good luck on the new Season and to MORE to come.
I wish I could be sure to watch more but well my time is near the end and so this is why I tell you now how I feel
Just my opinion-I watch the show because I do some metal fabbing as a hobby.Today I saw first show without Paul jr. and it was great.I like jr but
his attitude and all the arguing with his father is shameful.I got divorced three times because I dont like arguing.
It be-littles a person.Paul Sr. seems a lot more happy not arguing with a smart a.Show is better to watch without jr.If his attitude changes -maybe-.I will be quitting to watch if show is going to be fussing/arguing,dis-respectful all the time.Then it is just another one of those stupid sit-com
Its really sad seeing dad and son not getting along .. they have different ideas and methods but i hate to have my dad on my a** all day and i feel Jr’s . mr Paul senior should have laid back a little and not just go grab the money . his son creates masterpieces and its sad to see all of their efforts go down the drain …. O.C.C
Does anyone know the REAL reason Vinnie left OCC, and is he still friends with Paul Jnr and Mikey
So very sad to see any family at each others throats,but I feel this was inevitable for the Teutals, Paul snr comes across to me as an arrogant loutish bully,Paul jnr as a big headed prima donna, and as for Mikey he appears to be a childish, bone idol, spoilt wanker, So I think that for such a totally dysfunctional family to stick to-gether would be an impossibility, As for the TV series,If you have seen one youve seen them all,I hope Vinny and Cody have success in their new ventures, in my view they contributed most of the input to actually building the bikes than any of the family, all THEY seem to say is ” GEE THATS AWSOME” what an awful shower of dickheads they are, they all deserve to go bankrupt,
Please, Paul Sr. has got to be the worst example of fatherhood I have ever seen. Additionally, as a boss, someone who is suppose to emulate appropriate behaviour, his actions are disgusting. The language, the outbursts, the temper tantrums. He complains about his sons but his sons and their behaviour but they are not doing anything that he has not done. I guess he is a believer in “Do as I say, not as I do”. But that is a load of crap.
I enjoyed watching the early shows but the constant fighting was getting old. I think that Sr. has anger issues that he needs to get help with. Jr is totally irresponsible. If he were just another employee he would have been fired years ago. No company can tolerate such behavior as it can spread throughout the company. Both father and son are at fault. They know it but are to stubborn to back down. The company will fail as a result. They are blowing a good thing.
from watching the,re-runs.sr definitely
has some mental,problems. watch micky,as
he gets mad over,nothing too.he has the
same gene.jr holds it in till,look out!
its to bad,great show,sr needs to get rid,
of that,me me me,he will stroke out,for sure!
Paul Sr is a user and a loser. The first chopper built in his iron shop was done by one of his best friends Mike R. who was part of the first show, but did fit in with the show’s father son fighting. Senior lost all of his close friends because money came first, and now he lost his kids too…
Hi, my name is Tracy i am 53 years old.
x-marine this is were i was trinded to get along with others..i hope this don,t
don’t get out of hand..family is every thing pleace don’t blow it. my father lost 8-sons and 5-=girls.
it’s not fun…
May GOD bless you all..
Paul Sr. should try to be a father and not a control freak. He needs to go turn on his television , turn to the discovery channel and watch the deadliest catch. and see what a good father and beautiful person Captain Phil Harris was. maybe Paul Sr. can learn something about fatherhood. He needs to put his big ego to bed.
Hey Paul Jr.
Just want you to know that you will be the best bike builder ever. I see you and vinnie work and how paticular you are. Its great that you take extensive pride in what you do. Also I have a dad alot like yours and because of his attitude towards mom and and us kids we have no communication with him because of choice. You are an awesume young man keep on doing what you do. I love to ride and have a custom vw trike which my wife and I with the help of friends built.
God bless
Byron.