Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb has filed a lawsuit against Gopuff, the popular delivery service, alleging that the company has violated labor laws by not paying its delivery workers minimum wage, overtime, and sick leave. The lawsuit, filed by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), targets GoBrands, Inc. and GB Logistics, LLC, accusing them of improperly classifying their delivery workers as independent contractors.

"Businesses operating in the District cannot cut corners and cheat their workers. Through its misclassification scheme, Gopuff is taking advantage of its delivery drivers and also defrauding the District out of critical revenue," Schwalb stated in an Office of the Attorney General release. The OAG argues that Gopuff has avoided legal requirements such as workers' compensation and contributions to unemployment and paid family leave programs. The lawsuit claims that Gopuff’s actions harm both its workers and the District’s finances.

The key issue in the lawsuit is the alleged misclassification of Gopuff's delivery workers. The Office of the Attorney General asserts that these workers are treated as employees by Gopuff, with the company controlling their hiring, firing, training, and pay rates. However, Gopuff maintains that the workers are independent contractors. The lawsuit could have significant implications, as Gopuff operates in over 500 cities, including many in the District.

Since Attorney General Schwalb took office in 2023, the Office of the Attorney General has recovered more than $19 million for workers and the District, as part of a total exceeding $35 million since 2015. Workers with concerns about wage violations are encouraged to contact the Office of the Attorney General at (202) 724-7730 or email [email protected] or [email protected].