Campaign Workers Sue Elon Musk PAC in Orange County Superior Court

Two women, who knocked on doors in support of Orange County Congresswoman Michelle Steel, have filed a class action lawsuit against Elon Musk’s America Political Action Committee (PAC) alleging they were cheated out of wages and expenses.

America PAC reportedly poured more than $100 million into electing GOP candidates this year.

“We know there were many other temporary workers who were canvassing for Michelle Steel and we believe they were all treated the same way meaning they were supposed to be paid and how they were actually paid,” said Diversity Law Group attorney Larry Lee who filed the complaint and represents the two plaintiffs.

Some two-thirds of self-employed Californians are involved with independent contracting as their primary job, which includes gig workers, such as rideshare and delivery drivers and those with unincorporated businesses, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

The lawsuit, which also names Rep. Steel’s campaign, “Michelle Steel for Congress,” claims that Tamiko Anderson and Patricia Kelly were promised $25 to go door-to-door to turn out votes and were told, after the fact, that they would be paid per home they canvassed.

“Although Congresswoman Steel may not be directly involved, the lawsuit could create reputational challenges, as it involves workers campaigning on her behalf,” Los Angeles attorney Joe Nazarian said.

Steel did not respond to OrangeCountyLawyers.com’s requests for comment.

The complaint was filed in Orange County Superior Court on Oct. 30 and further alleges the plaintiffs were not reimbursed for work-related expenses, including the use of personal cellphones to track their movements along their designated routes.

“This shows the hypocrisy of these people that they’re claiming to be for the average American when they’re ripping off the average American,” Lee told OrangeCountyLawyers.com.

Musk did not respond to requests for comment.

The plaintiffs are demanding damages, penalties, costs and attorneys fees as permitted under the California Labor Code.

“The employment claims alleged by the plaintiffs are quite detailed and appear meritorious, so there is a strong chance of success,” Los Angeles employment attorney Camron Dowlatshahi said. “However, it may not matter to Ms. Steel and the GOP because whatever money they ultimately pay in a settlement looks to be simply a justified means to an end.”

The three causes of action include violations of the California Labor Code, such as failure to pay agreed upon wages, and failure to reimburse business expenses.
Liberty Staffing Services, a Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC), is also named as a defendant but Lee says the use of a staffing company doesn’t absolve Musk or Steel of their responsibility to follow labor laws in California.

“Liberty Staffing is being utilized by these political campaigns,” Lee said. “This is their sole job so it’s not your normal staffing company where it’s just a temp worker being sent out for whatever job that’s available. This is a specialized staffing company that does the canvassing.”

Liberty Staffing Services did not respond to requests for comment.

“Liberty Staffing is certainly a defense they can employ but it doesn’t mean they can get out of it,” Lee added. “When my clients went canvassing, they had lanyards that said America PAC on it, not the staffing company.”

Both Musk and Lee have yet to file replies to the lawsuit.

If the plaintiffs succeed with their claim, the outcome could establish a precedent requiring political campaigns and PACs to follow strict wage and reimbursement guidelines for contracted workers.

“It may also prompt other political campaigns to reassess their compensation policies to avoid similar legal challenges,” Nazarian told OrangeCountyLawyers.com.

Screenshot courtesy https://theamericapac.org/