Ex-Twitter CEO Sues Elon Musk for $128 Million in Unpaid Severance
In a legal battle that has captured the attention of the tech world, four former Twitter executives have filed a $128 million lawsuit against billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The dispute centers around unpaid severance following Musk’s acquisition of the social media giant.
The Plaintiffs
The four plaintiffs in this case are no ordinary employees. They include:
- Parag Agrawal – Former CEO of Twitter
- Ned Segal – Former CFO
- Sean Edgett – Former General Counsel
- Vijaya Gadde – Former Chief Legal Officer
The Acquisition and Mass Layoffs
In 2022, Musk acquired Twitter (now known as *X) for a staggering $44 billion. However, his takeover was not without consequences. He swiftly laid off approximately *80% of Twitter’s staff, including the top executives mentioned above. Musk justified their termination by claiming they were let go “for cause.”
The Allegations
The lawsuit alleges that Musk failed to honor the executives’ severance benefits. Instead of paying them what they were owed, he simply fired them without proper justification. The complaint argues that Musk fabricated reasons for their termination and appointed employees from his other companies to uphold his decision.
The plaintiffs contend that Musk’s claim of “cause” lacks factual basis. They assert that the executives did not engage in gross negligence or willful misconduct, as Musk suggested in their termination letters.
The Legal Landscape
This lawsuit is just one of several legal battles stemming from Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and subsequent management of the platform. Here are some other notable legal actions:
- *Rank-and-File Employees’ Complaint: Last year, Twitter employees filed a separate complaint seeking *$500 million** in unpaid severance.
- National Labor Relations Board Complaint: The National Labor Relations Board accused Musk’s SpaceX of illegally firing eight workers who criticized his leadership.
- Content Moderation Challenges: Since the acquisition, Twitter has faced declining ad revenues and an increase in hate speech. Musk has blamed anti-hate monitoring groups for the revenue decline and is currently embroiled in lawsuits with two organizations: Media Matters and the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
The Verdict Awaits
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of these former Twitter executives’ severance hangs in the balance. Will Musk be held accountable for the $128 million they seek? Only time—and the California courts—will tell
Remember, even in the high-stakes world of tech and business, justice is often decided in courtrooms, not boardrooms.
Leave a Reply