Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) has retaliated against Bloomberg News after the outlet published a report on his campaign being accused of stiffing workers of wages.
According to Semafor's Max Tani, Lawler's campaign "informed Bloomberg that it is 'revoking all RSVPs and press credentials for Bloomberg reporters,'" and "the Lawler campaign told Bloomberg any reporter who tries to attend will be 'treated as a trespasser.'"
This follows an explosive report by Bloomberg that a dozen out-of-state canvassers working for Rep. Mike Lawler’s reelection effort are suing the campaign and several consulting firms, claiming they were paid as little as a dollar for each door they knocked on, Bloomberg Law reports.
They also say they were let go after speaking up about labor practices and discrimination.
According to the complaint, filed Friday in federal court in Manhattan, recruitment materials for the New York Republican’s campaign promised weekly base pay of $1,200 to $3,000, free housing and paid travel from September through Election Day. Bloomberg describes the workers’ claim as a “bait-and-switch,” alleging the defendants advertised one deal and delivered another.
Lawler represents a key battlground House district, and is considered to be one of the most vulnerable Republican lawmakers in the House standing for re-election this week. He is challenged by Cait Conley, a former Army Major and director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council.