San Joaquin County officials say they did not order an American flag flown at Camping World in French Camp to be taken down.
The chain that sells RVs, camping equipment and other outdoor gear is known for flying giant American flags outside of their stores, including the location just south of Stockton off Interstate 5.
But the flag had not been spotted in its usual spot for months.
This week, after some news outlets reported the county ordered the business to take the flag down, Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of the company, ordered employees at the store to raise the flag once again.
Lemonis was lauded as a “patriot” on social media for ignoring the county’s alleged order.
However, county officials said on Friday they never asked the business to remove the flag from its premises, and the business didn’t have a permit to fly it.
The 2022 California Building Code adopted by San Joaquin County requires building permits for flagpoles that are taller than 30 feet.
The flagpole at Camping World is 130 feet in height, according to county officials.