Fred Brunner Sues Exotic Dancer Melanie Sterling for Alleged Fraud
Fred Michael Brunner, the president of Springdale-based manufacturing company Brunner & Lay Inc., has filed a lawsuit against Melanie Beth Sterling, a Las Vegas exotic dancer, alleging she defrauded him of millions of dollars during their decade-long relationship.
The relationship began when Brunner visited a gentlemen’s club in Las Vegas in 2014, during a difficult period in his marriage. Sterling took advantage of his emotional distress and portrayed herself as his soulmate. Over time, he lavished her with over million in cash, gifts, and even a 0,000 Las Vegas home. The lawsuit claims that Brunner was led to believe they were in an exclusive relationship, but Sterling was actually seeing another man during most of the time she was dating Brunner.
Sterling has responded to the lawsuit, stating that Brunner’s claims are “riddled with falsehoods” and that he filed the lawsuit “solely for purposes of harassment.” She argues that Brunner was aware of her other relationships and had even engaged in his own infidelities during their time together. Sterling asserts that Brunner’s behavior is a form of revenge for her ending the relationship and moving on.
The lawsuit seeks .5 million in compensatory damages and million in punitive damages. This case highlights the complex nature of financial deception in personal relationships and the importance of vigilance in such situations.
