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Deel scores a lawsuit win, but not against Rippling

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Deel scores a lawsuit win, but not against Rippling Julie Bort PM PDT · August 19, 2025 A Florida judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed against embattled HR and payroll provider Deel. And while Deel described this as a “Rippling-aligned” and “Rippling-supported” lawsuit, this is not the infamous lawsuit filed

Rippling CEO Parker Conrad even went so far as to write “This litigation has nothing to do with Rippling, we are not a party to it, did not fund it,” in a tweet. (Rippling representatives declined further comment.)

Still, this is some good news for Deel. In January, a lawsuit was filed in Florida

Surge had been subject to a separate U.S. SEC action alleging that the company was involved in a Ponzi scheme that defrauded church members out of $35 million. Damian, a court-appointed receiver for Surge, was tasked with recovering assets, Semafor reported at the time. She filed the lawsuit on behalf of investors, alleging that Deel was responsible for processing the payments. This is the case that was dismissed.

Deel is attempting to tie this case to the suit filed

Rippling, which is suing Deel in California, is also alleging that Deel violated RICO, as well as the Defend Trade Secrets Act, and California state law, as TechCrunch previously reported. RICO is famously the statute that was originally used to prosecute mobsters.

Rippling’s lawsuit, however, involves a different set of allegations centered on a Rippling employee who testified in an Irish court that he had been acting as a paid corporate spy for Deel.

Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 REGISTER NOW Deel is clearly hoping that if one court dismisses a lawsuit alleging RICO violations, another court will follow suit. “The ruling invites further questions about the credibility of another baseless set of RICO accusations

But as these cases involve different actions and circumstances, we’ll all have to wait and see how the California court responds. Meanwhile, Deel is also suing Rippling, claiming that one of Rippling’s employees was unlawfully impersonating a customer.

On top of all of that, the person who confessed to being Deel’s alleged corporate spy, Keith O’Brien, successfully obtained a restraining order against people he said were following him and scaring his family. O’Brien is now Rippling’s star witness in its case against Deel.

At first, lawyers for Deel denied involvement, but later admitted the company had hired “discreet surveillance” of O’Brien, according to court testimony seen

“Alex and his father can deflect and delay but they will face the music when we get our day in court,” Conrad added in his tweet, referring to Rippling’s case that names Deel’s founder and CEO Alex Bouaziz and his father, who is chairman and CFO, Philippe Bouaziz.

“Deel will explore all its options for relief, defend itself vigorously against pending cases and continue to focus on winning in the marketplace,” a Deel spokesperson said in that statement.

We’re always looking to evolve, and

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Julie Bort Venture Editor

October 27-29, 2025 San Francisco Put your brand in front of 10,000+ tech and VC leaders across all three days of Disrupt 2025. Amplify your reach, spark real connections, and lead the innovation charge. Secure your exhibit space before your competitor does.

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