Owner of N.C. RV lot says he'll pay fine, go to jail over 'too big' U.S. flag

The owner of a North Carolina RV lot could face a hefty fine or possibly even jail time for refusing to take down a massive U.S. flag.

And Marcus Lemonis told USA Today he's perfectly fine with that.

Lemonis owns Gander RV in Statesville, N.C. City officials there say his 3,200-square-foot flag is too big and must be replaced with a smaller one.

The city says the flag being flown is considerably larger than the 1,000-square-foot one Statesville approved.

Gander RV is being fined each day the flag remains up. So far, the fines total more than $10,000, Lemonis said.

“The flag isn’t coming down," Lemonis said in a USA Today interview. "It’s the only thing I know for certain. I know I’m going to die. I know I’m going to pay taxes. And I know I’m not taking the flag down.”

Lemonis said the flag poses no safety hazard whatsoever. The city, in a post on Facebook, had this to say: "The City of Statesville stands by our flag and what is represents. We are so much more than a one flag town.

"Please know that it is our job to protect our citizens and the businesses that call the City of Statesville home. We take our laws and ordinances very seriously. Our doors are open to any business looking to prosper and grow in our community. We only ask that the proper channels are followed. That is the first and necessary step to any potential change in code."