Canvassers Sue Lawler Campaign Over Pay and Discrimination Claims

Twelve people hired to canvass in Westchester County have sued Rep. Mike Lawler, his campaign and seven other defendants, alleging they were underpaid, worked excessive hours and faced discrimination and retaliation. The suit was filed in the Southern District of New York on October 30. The allegations have not been adjudicated, and the complaint does not say Lawler witnessed discriminatory incidents.

Lawler Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Exploitation of Campaign Workers

A federal lawsuit filed on October 30 accuses Rep. Mike Lawler’s campaign operation and its contractors of exploiting 12 canvassers hired for September work in Westchester County. The plaintiffs say they were recruited from several states with promises of weekly base pay, covered housing and travel, but learned they would receive no guaranteed wages and only $1 per door knocked. They allege their workweeks ran 70 to 84 hours, with no legally required minimum pay or overtime; one says she received $275, while another alleges she was paid nothing.

The complaint also describes alleged racist, ageist and religiously discriminatory remarks by people working for contractors. It says workers who raised concerns about pay or treatment were dismissed, and argues Lawler and his campaign had enough control to be held legally responsible. The allegations are unproven, and the suit does not claim Lawler personally made or witnessed the remarks.

The case puts the treatment of low-paid campaign workers at the center of a race for office backed by President Donald Trump, who endorsed Lawler on October 31. Lawler faces Democrat Cait Conley on November 3. The campaign offered no comment when asked. Recruiter Anastasia Yopp denied making the alleged remarks and said workers stayed in nice hotel rooms; she also said she had not been in touch with Lawler’s campaign.

The campaign revoked Bloomberg reporters’ credentials after the outlet first reported the suit, and said they would be treated as trespassers if they attended campaign events. The plaintiffs are seeking damages and a jury trial.

Unproven Contractor Claims Target Lawler Before Election

A lawsuit filed days before the November 3 election names Rep. Mike Lawler and his campaign alongside seven other defendants, accusing them of wage violations, discrimination and retaliation tied to canvassing in Westchester County. The claims are allegations, not court findings, and the complaint does not say Lawler witnessed the remarks it describes or personally made them.

The 12 plaintiffs say they were recruited from several states with promises of weekly base pay, lodging and travel coverage, but were told at orientation they would earn $1 per door with no guaranteed pay. They allege their workweeks lasted 70 to 84 hours, without legally required minimum pay or overtime. One says she received $275; another says she got no pay.

The complaint attributes alleged racist and other discriminatory comments to contractor personnel. Recruiter Anastasia Yopp denied making the alleged remarks, said workers stayed in nice hotel rooms and said she had not been in touch with Lawler’s campaign. The plaintiffs argue Lawler and his campaign exercised enough control to be legally responsible, and are seeking damages and a jury trial.

President Donald Trump endorsed Lawler on October 31, calling him a strong supporter of his agenda. Lawler is running against Democrat Cait Conley. The campaign offered no comment when asked. After Bloomberg first reported the lawsuit, the campaign revoked credentials for the outlet’s reporters and said they would be treated as trespassers at campaign events.