A heated legal battle has erupted over the control and management of a small bar in San Francisco’s Castro District. On August 27, 2025, Linda J. Holl and Larry Metzger filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against Ross Crum and TDG, Inc., alleging multiple grievances including breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment.
The plaintiffs, Linda J. Holl and Larry Metzger, are minority shareholders in TDG, Inc., which operates SF Mix, a gay bar located at 4086 18th Street. They allege that Ross Crum, who holds the majority shareholding with 55% ownership, has been mismanaging the company’s finances for personal gain since he took over management duties in September 2019. The complaint accuses Crum of paying himself an exorbitant salary of $280,000 annually—double what Metzger earned when he managed the bar—and using company funds for personal expenses such as trips to Las Vegas and gambling activities. This financial misconduct allegedly violates several laws including Penal Code § 496 concerning stolen property.
According to the complaint, Holl and Metzger have been systematically excluded from any meaningful role in corporate affairs by Crum. Despite their combined ownership of 45% of the company’s shares (Holl with 10% and Metzger with 35%), they claim they have been denied access to financial records and deprived of their rightful share of corporate earnings. “Plaintiffs have received no return on their investment while Defendant CRUM enriches himself,” states the complaint.
The plaintiffs are seeking various forms of relief from the court. They demand compensatory damages for their losses as well as restitution for all funds unjustly retained by Crum. Additionally, they request punitive damages due to what they describe as willful and malicious conduct by Crum. One significant aspect of their plea is the involuntary dissolution of TDG, Inc., arguing that it is necessary to protect shareholder rights given the deadlock among shareholders and persistent unfairness exhibited by Crum’s actions.
Representing Holl and Metzger are attorneys R. Stephen Goldstein, Paul H. Melbostad, and Vladislav P. Viltman from g3mh LLP based in San Francisco. The case is being heard under Case No.: CGC-25-628536 at the Superior Court of California with jurisdiction established due to all parties residing or conducting business within San Francisco County.
Source: CGC25628536_Linda_Holl_v_Ross_Crum_Complaint_County_of_San_Francisco.pdf
Source: CGC25628536_Linda_Holl_v_Ross_Crum_Complaint_County_of_San_Francisco.pdf
Source: CGC25628536_Linda_Holl_v_Ross_Crum_Complaint_County_of_San_Francisco.pdf
