Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion Headed To Trial In Former Photographer’s Harassment & Unpaid Wages Lawsuit
Megan Thee Stallion will have to face a jury in the ongoing legal battle with her former photographer and videographer, Emilio Garcia.
On Friday (Aug. 7), U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods partially denied motions for summary judgment filed by Megan and the other defendants, allowing several of Garcia’s claims to move forward to trial. Garcia alleges he was subjected to a hostile work environment, improperly compensated and misclassified as an independent contractor while working for the rapper. Roc Nation, Megan Thee Stallion Entertainment and Hot Girl Touring are also named as defendants.
Garcia filed the lawsuit in 2024 after working with Megan for several years. Among his most serious allegations, he claims that during a 2022 trip to Ibiza, Spain, he was inside a moving SUV when Megan allegedly began having sex with another woman next to him, leaving him unable to exit the vehicle. Garcia alleges Megan later warned him not to discuss what he witnessed. He has also accused the rapper of making comments about his weight and claims changes to his compensation resulted in him earning less money.
The latest ruling does not mean Garcia has proven his allegations. Instead, Judge Woods determined that disputes over evidence—including Garcia’s working relationship, compensation and other surviving claims—should be decided at trial. Garcia also presented evidence from which a jury could potentially find that he was an employee rather than an independent contractor and that he experienced retaliation after raising concerns about unpaid work.
However, Garcia did not prevail on every claim. The judge granted summary judgment to the defendants on his retaliation claims under the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws, as well as claims brought under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. The defendants’ motions were otherwise denied.
Garcia’s attorney, Ron Zambrano, welcomed the ruling, saying his client is looking forward to presenting his case in court.
Megan has strongly denied Garcia’s allegations.
