Upon its debut in 2003, American Chopper swiftly garnered attention not solely due to its custom motorcycle craftsmanship, but also for the dynamic interplay within the Teutul family ranks: Paul Sr., Paul Jr., and Mikey. The show’s original run spanned over 200 episodes, characterized by a plethora of debates, yielding an abundance of memes, spinoffs, and resurgences over the years.
Crucial to the genesis of American Chopper was Paul Teutul Sr., a Vietnam War Merchant Marine veteran who established Orange County Choppers in 1999. The tumultuous rapport he shared with his son, Paul Jr., led to the latter’s exit from the show and culminated in the short-lived 2010 series “Senior vs. Junior.” Paul Sr. made a television return in 2013 with “Orange County Choppers,” which regrettably concluded after only 8 episodes. Despite the series’ demise, Paul Sr. continued to helm the company, though 2017 brought forth legal contention. Business partner Thomas Derbyshire filed suit against Teutul, asserting misuse of investments for personal ends.
Presently, Paul Sr. resides in Florida. In 2018, he filed for bankruptcy and shifted both his personal abode and the operations of Orange County Choppers to the Sunshine State. The year 2021 saw the inauguration of the OCC Roadhouse and Museum in Clearwater, boasting a concert venue among its amenities. Nonetheless, financial matters surrounding the venture have been ensnared in controversy.
In 2018, the Miami Herald exposed a Ponzi scheme associated with the OCC Roadhouse, ensnaring foreign investors who lost millions due to fraudulent shares in valueless paper companies. Notably, this venture marked Paul Sr.’s second foray into the restaurant industry, a realm previously entangled with legal strife. In the same year, Page Six reported a warrant for over $22,000 in unpaid state taxes for his Orange County Choppers Cafe in Newburgh. Additionally, the publication disclosed a foreclosure process underway for his Montgomery residence at the time.