Florida Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Deel in Russia Sanctions Case

A Florida judge dismissed a lawsuit against HR and payroll provider Deel, which had been accused of helping Russian entities evade U.S. sanctions by processing payments for Surge Capital Ventures, a company implicated in a $35 million Ponzi scheme targeting church members. Deel characterized the lawsuit as aligned with rival company Rippling, though Rippling CEO Parker Conrad denied any involvement or funding of the case. The dismissed lawsuit is separate from Rippling's ongoing litigation in California, where Rippling alleges Deel violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and California state law, with testimony alleging corporate espionage involving Deel. Deel expressed optimism that the Florida dismissal could influence the outcome of Rippling's RICO claims in California, describing the accusations as baseless. Rippling's lawsuit notably includes testimony from an employee who claimed to have been a paid corporate spy for Deel in an Irish court. Both companies remain embroiled in legal battles centered on allegations of corporate espionage and RICO violations.