Four former top Twitter executives, led by ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, have filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk in California, seeking over $128 million in severance pay. The legal action comes after Musk fired the executives following his acquisition of the social media platform in October 2022.
Agrawal, along with former CFO Ned Segal, former Chief Legal Officer Vijaya Gadde, and former General Counsel Sean Edgett, dispute Musk’s claim that they were dismissed for gross negligence and willful misconduct, which would have allowed him to avoid paying severance, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The executives, who guided Twitter through the contentious takeover process, allege in the lawsuit that Musk’s actions are part of his “playbook” to withhold money owed to others and force them into costly legal battles. They state, “Even in defeat, Musk can impose delay, hassle and expense on others less able to afford it.”
Since acquiring Twitter and renaming it X, Musk has drastically reduced the company’s workforce, laying off more than two-thirds of its 7,500 employees. X has not yet responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
The legal battle between the former executives and Musk adds another chapter to the tumultuous history of the social media platform’s acquisition and subsequent transformation under the billionaire’s leadership.
