• by Ray Schultz , February 4, 2024

The closure of The Messenger last week was promptly followed by a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of terminated employees.  

The suit was filed against JAF Communications Inc. by Pilar Belendez-Desha.

The plaintiff, a senior producer in New York, seeks class action certification and recovery of 60 days wages and benefits.  

The complaint alleges the defendant “failed to give Plaintiff and the Class Members written notice that complied with the requirements of the federal New York State WARN Acts — 60 and 90 days, respectively. 

“On January 2, 2024, Defendant began reducing its workforce by abruptly terminating approximately 20 employees of The Messenger," it states. 

It continues, “On the afternoon of January 31, 2024, the remaining employees learned from a New York Times news item that they were being terminated. Within minutes after the story broke, The Messenger confirmed to the approximately 300 employees that they were terminated effective immediately.”

The site had bled money since its start last May, backed by $50 million in funding.  

JAF Communications Inc. is “a privately owned American digital media company based in West Palm Beach Florida,” the suit states. 

The lawsuit was first reported by the Daily Caller. 

The case is on file with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.