# Megan Thee Stallion employment lawsuit > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/megan-thee-stallion-employment-lawsuit > Updated: 2026-08-10T01:12:32.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. A federal judge has ruled that rapper Megan Thee Stallion and Roc Nation will face a jury trial in a lawsuit filed by former photographer Emilio Garcia. Garcia, who worked for the artist between 2018 and 2023, alleges he was subjected to a hostile work environment, including weight-shaming and witnessing inappropriate conduct during a 2022 trip to Ibiza. He further claims he was misclassified as an independent contractor and denied proper wages. While US District Judge Gregory H. Woods dismissed certain claims—specifically retaliation claims under New York human rights laws and sexual orientation discrimination claims under California law—the central disputes regarding unpaid wages, labor code violations, and worker classification remain active. The judge determined that conflicting evidence regarding employment and working conditions requires a jury to resolve the disputed facts. Megan Thee Stallion’s legal team continues to deny all allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as a “money grab” and “false.” ## Claims - A federal judge ruled that the lawsuit filed by Emilio Garcia against Megan Thee Stallion and Roc Nation will proceed to a jury trial. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Emilio Garcia alleges he was misclassified as an independent contractor rather than an employee. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Garcia claims he was owed unpaid wages and faced a hostile work environment. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The court dismissed Garcia’s retaliation claims under New York City and New York state human rights laws. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The judge rejected claims of discrimination based on sexual orientation under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Legal counsel for Megan Thee Stallion denied the allegations, describing the complaint as false. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Megan Thee Stallion to face jury trial in photographer lawsuit Megan Thee Stallion and Roc Nation are headed to a jury trial after a federal judge ruled that a lawsuit by former photographer Emilio Garcia over unpaid wages and a hostile work environment can proceed. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/megan-thee-stallion-to-face-jury-trial-in-photographer-lawsuit ### 2026-08-07: Megan Thee Stallion lawsuit moves toward trial over harassment and wage claims Judge Gregory Woods denied Megan Thee Stallion’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit by former photographer Emilio Garcia, allowing claims of harassment, hostile work environment, and unpaid wages to go to trial. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/megan-thee-stallion-lawsuit-moves-toward-trial-over-harassment-and-wage-claims --- Cite as: Megan Thee Stallion employment lawsuit. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/megan-thee-stallion-employment-lawsuit