Prosecutors have dropped the misdemeanor traffic charges against the owner of the now-closed Trump and Truth Store in Huntley, who has previously vowed to open a new store.
Lisa A. Fleischmann, 52, of Algonquin, was stopped by the Oakwood Hills Police Department on August 10.
Fleischmann was driving a white 2010 Jeep when she was stopped around 9 p.m. by officers.
Court records show the stop occurred near Woody Way and Sherwood Trail in Oakwood Hills for the Jeep having expired license plates.
Fleischmann was also driving on a suspended driver’s license at the time, a criminal complaint said.
Fleischmann was charged with driving on a suspended license, a Class A misdemeanor, and driving with expired registration, a petty offense.
She was released and given a notice to appear in court on August 29 for a plea hearing.
At the time of the incident, Fleischmann already had another criminal case pending for the same offenses.
She was charged in late April with driving on a suspended license, expired registration and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration.
The charges were filed after Fleischmann was stopped by the Oakwood Hills Police Department around 6:30 p.m. on April 27.
Fleischmann was driving the same 2010 Jeep when she was stopped at Rawson Bridge Road and Hickory Road. Fleischmann was released and given a notice to appear.
Court records show Fleischmann failed to appear at the initial May 16 court hearing and McHenry County Judge Mary Nader had ordered a summons be issued to Fleischmann notifying her to appear for another court hearing, which was set for June 13.
A report from a McHenry County sheriff’s deputy said he attempted to serve the summons on Fleischmann on June 6.
The deputy said he made visual contact with Fleischmann and greeted her, at which time she ran back into the house and would not answer the door.
The deputy placed the summons on her Jeep’s windshield. Fleischmann disputed the report and said she did not run into her house to avoid being served.
“Why would I run? The deputy could have easily served me papers at my store, where I am present every day. The last time I was served, I ended up talking to the server for about 30 minutes. I would never flee from a conversation,” she said.
Fleischmann failed to appear at the new court hearing on June 13 and Nader issued an arrest warrant, court records show.
Fleischmann appeared in court on June 20 and McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb quashed the warrant.
She was arraigned on the charges and appeared in court in late August for a plea hearing, which was continued to September 19 upon her request.
Court records show prosecutors dismissed both traffic cases against her on the September 19 court date.
The two cases against Fleischmann were among nine traffic cases in McHenry County filed against her in a two-year span, court records show.
Fleischmann previously owned the Trump and Truth Store, 10890 North Route 47 in Huntley, which closed on July 13.
Fleischmann said she plans to open a new location “this fall” and an announcement would be made in early September but so far no announcement has been made.
The business sold apparel related to President Donald Trump. “The more you wear TRUMP the more people will come out of the fear and wear it too. It’s a great feeling knowing who all the great people are that surround you everyday,” the store’s website previously said.
The closure came after the store was facing eviction for what Fleischmann said was due to her displaying Trump signs, flags, table chairs, a Trump inflatable and a sign on her trailer outside the store.
She said the situation was political and it felt “more like bullying” from the village involving “threats and intimidation.”
Court records show the owner of the building, Ricky Lynfield Inc., filed on March 18 to evict Fleischmann from the property.
A complaint filed in the eviction said that the company and Fleischmann entered into a lease on January 2, 2024, that was set to expire on December 31, 2026.
A clause in the lease agreement titled “Compliance With Regulations” said that the tenant shall comply with all “laws, ordinances, requirements and regulations of the federal, state, county, municipal and other authorities, and the fire insurance underwriters.”
The agreement said that the tenant shall be found in default of the lease if the tenant fails to fulfill any lease obligation.
The complaint said that Fleischmann refused to keep her merchandise inside her store despite numerous requests by the landlord and the Village of Huntley.
“Instead, she displays many items on the public sidewalk and outside of the building along the street,” the complaint said.
Fleischmann and the landlord were both charged by the Village of Huntley with several ordinance violations in relation to the displays.
Court records show they were each charged with three building code violations and one sign ordinance violation on January 10.
The ordinance complaints say an inflatable figure, a flag installed on the sidewalk, a flag installed on a building column and “Trump and Truth Store” signs and flags installed within the public right-of-way violated Huntley Code of Ordinances.
The complaints say the store did not have the required permits for the display.
The building owner said they provided Fleischmann with a 10-day notice to terminate tenancy for breach of the lease on January 20 and they also went to the store and spoke with Fleischmann asking her to comply with the village’s ordinances.
The complaint said that Fleischmann continued to violate the village ordinances by displaying her merchandise on the public sidewalk and right of way in “direct violation of the village’s ordinances.”
The eviction complaint sought a McHenry County judge to enter an order of judgment for possession of the premises and to order Fleischmann to pay costs relating to the lawsuit.
A trial was set in the eviction case for June 25 and a settlement agreement was reached before it began.
Court records show Fleischmann and the building owner agreed that Fleischmann would vacate the property and turn over possession of it no later than 6 p.m. on July 17.
Fleischmann reimbursed the building owner for court costs and attorney fees, court records show.
“I settled before trial for two reasons, one this was not the landlord’s idea. I did not want to continue burdening him on this matter,” Fleischmann said last month.
“I also need a bigger store. I am taking time to build an online store and find the perfect place so we can really have fun finding Truth, supporting President Trump and doing good for others,” she said.
The ordinance violation case against Ricky Lynfield Inc. was dismissed in August and the ordinance violation case against Fleischmann was dismissed on September 11 ahead of a trial.