Former cameraman Emilio Garcia has filed a lawsuit against hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion, alleging a pattern of harassment and mistreatment that created a “hostile, abusive work environment.” The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, names Megan Pete (the rapper’s real name) and several of her companies as defendants.
Garcia was hired in July 2018 and misclassified as an independent contractor, a common practice in the entertainment industry that denies workers basic protections under California law, including health care and overtime pay. In August 2022, Roc Nation changed its compensation structure to a pay-per-task system, but Garcia alleges that time expectations and demands remained the same while pay decreased significantly.
The lawsuit alleges several instances of harassment, including an incident during a night out in Ibiza, Spain, in June 2022. Garcia claims that while riding in an SUV with three other women, Megan and one of the women engaged in sexual activity “right beside” him. Garcia alleges that he “could not get out of the car as it was both moving and he was in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country” and felt “embarrassed, mortified, and offended throughout the whole ordeal.”
Garcia also accuses Megan of fat-shaming him, calling him a “fat bitch” and telling him to “spit [his] food out” because “you don’t need to be eating.” Garcia’s employment with Roc Nation was terminated in June 2023, which he believes was retaliation for voicing complaints about labor and wage violations.
Megan’s attorney, Alex Spiro, has denied the allegations, claiming Garcia is just trying to extort money. “This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her. We will deal with this in court,” Spiro said.
The lawsuit highlights the ongoing problem of misclassification and mistreatment of workers in the entertainment industry. It also raises important questions about the nature of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct, and the need for accountability for those who engage in such behavior.
