- Four former Twitter execs including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal sued Elon Musk and X seeking over $128 million in severance pay after being fired when Musk acquired Twitter.
- Musk cited misconduct to justify firing them without severance, but the execs say their dismissal was unfair and unwarranted.
- The lawsuit alleges Musk is following his usual playbook of avoiding owed payments by forcing the other party to pursue legal action.
Four former Twitter executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk and Twitter’s new parent company X seeking over $128 million in severance pay.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed on Monday in federal court in California. It comes after a year-long dispute stemming from when Musk fired the executives upon acquiring Twitter in October 2022.
Musk cited “gross negligence and willful misconduct” as justification for terminating the executives without severance. But they dispute their dismissal as unfair and unwarranted.
The plaintiffs include Agrawal, former CFO Ned Segal, former chief legal officer Vijaya Gadde, and former general counsel Sean Edgett.
Musk’s Cost-Cutting Measures at Twitter
Since acquiring Twitter and rebranding it as X, Musk has aggressively cut costs. He has laid off over two-thirds of Twitter’s 7,500 employees.
The executives accuse Musk of following his usual “playbook” of avoiding payments owed by forcing the other party to pursue legal action. Even if Musk loses in court, he can impose hassle and expenses on the less wealthy plaintiffs.
No Comment from Company
X representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
The outcome of the case remains to be seen. But the lawsuit represents the latest fallout from Musk’s tumultuous takeover of Twitter.
