‘RHOC’ Katie Ginella is Sued for $5 Million & Accused of Fraud

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Season 18 of The Real Housewives of Orange County is off to a great start, and newbie Katie Ginella is doing her best to make a name for herself. Now, though, Katie and her business partners are being sued over her golf-related business by a man who claims to have had the idea first.

As fans know, Katie joined RHOC this season as a full-time Housewife. So far, she has butted heads with veteran Heather Dubrow after claiming she calls the paparazzi when she wants to be seen. 

In Touch Weekly recently obtained court documents that show that Katie, her business partners, and her company, TeeShots, are being sued for alleged fraud and breach of implied contract. The man suing is named Chad Ruskey, and he claims to have worked with George and Dolores, Katie’s business partners, on the idea behind TeeShots. 

Chad is saying that he came up with the idea for the “unique idea of a shot of alcohol contained in a golf ball-shaped shot glass (the “Golf Shot”)” in February 2023. 

The lawsuit explains, “The Golf Shot consists of a clear, spherical glass resembling a golf ball, meticulously crafted to reflect the dimpled surface of an actual golf ball. The glass is designed to hold approximately 50 ml of alcohol, such as tequila or other spirits, providing a novel and sophisticated drinking experience.”

Chad did file a patent application and originally planned to call the product either Golf Shot or Tee Shots. 

The lawsuit goes on to say that Chad first shared the idea with George, “who expressed an immediate interest in partnering with [Chad] to take the idea to market.” After that, Dolores was brought in, and they agreed to move forward with the idea. By March 2023, he had come up with a domain name and social media accounts, and he had found a designer. He says the three of them even looked over mock-ups for the product that month. 

The suit goes on, “In or around June 2023, unbeknownst to [Chad], Defendants George and Dolores began conspiring with [Katie] to form a competing company to exploit [Chad’s] idea. Lacking the ability to create successful businesses on their own, George, Defendants Dolores and [Katie] desperately wanted an idea that others found exciting.”

Allegedly, George and Dolores were more excited about working with Katie because of “the enormous profits they could reap by leveraging [Katie’s] hopeful fame from her anticipated appearance on the reality show Real Housewives of Orange County.”

According to Chad, Katie, George, and Dolores formed the Tee Shots company in Wyoming because the state makes it easier to hide ownership in companies. Then, in September 2023, the Tee Shots company applied for a trademark for TeeShots. He then says that there were social media accounts and a website formed using the name. 

Chad is seeking $5 million in damages and an injunction to stop them from doing business — as well as for them to turn over their profits from the company. 

In response, the lawyer on Katie, Dolores, and George’s side says, “Katie Ginella, along with Dolores and George Salman, have not been served with any lawsuit by Chad Ruskey against them at this time. Ms. Ginella and the Salmans were previously contacted by Mr. Ruskey’s attorney about claims of being in breach of a partnership to develop a golf-ball shotglass business, and they denied having any business ties or arrangements with Mr. Ruskey. Mr. Ruskey’s claim to a unique idea of a golf-ball shot glass is unfounded. Ms. Ginella, in particular, has had zero dealings or prior contact with Mr. Ruskey and will vigorously defend against being frivolously named in the lawsuit.”

This story is developing, but in the meantime, fans can watch Katie on RHOC on Thursday nights.