Police surveillance startup Flock Safety is facing a lawsuit from a California mayor who alleges the company wrongfully terminated him after he refused to use his position to benefit the company. The lawsuit, filed by Moreno Valley Mayor Ulises Cabrera in November 2024, raises concerns about the influence of private companies on elected officials and the potential misuse of power.

Cabrera worked as a Community Engagement Manager for Flock from February to June 2024, while still serving as mayor of Moreno Valley, a city with over 200,000 residents. During his time at Flock, Cabrera gave presentations promoting the company's technology to at least two city council meetings outside his jurisdiction. However, Cabrera claims that around two weeks into his employment, a Flock employee requested that he use his position as mayor to benefit the company, which he refused to do, citing ethical and legal concerns.

Flock categorically denies all of Cabrera's allegations, stating that its hire of a sitting mayor complies with California's conflict-of-interest regulations. The company claims to have confirmed with outside counsel that employing a sitting mayor is legal under California law, which bars public officials from making decisions based on their own financial interests but does not prohibit them from taking private sector jobs.

However, Cabrera's lawsuit raises questions about the potential for private companies to exert influence over elected officials. "It's disturbing to see claims that this company would pressure staff to unethically misuse a government position," said Albert Fox Cahn, founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project. "This adds to the growing body of evidence that American surveillance is fueled by a broken revolving door between industry and government."

Cabrera's lawsuit also alleges that he suffered retaliation for raising concerns that Flock was significantly underreporting the number of surveillance cameras installed in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Additionally, Cabrera claims that a Flock employee sexually harassed him by rubbing his leg against his at a conference and disclosing upcoming parental leave. Flock denies all of these allegations.

This lawsuit marks the latest episode in Flock's recent legal troubles. In April, a civil rights organization sued Flock, arguing that the company's widespread surveillance violates the Fourth Amendment. In September, the Texas Department of Public Safety sent Flock a cease and desist, claiming it did not have the proper license to operate in private homes and businesses.

Flock, backed by Andreessen Horowitz, has grown to a $3.5 billion valuation thanks to its sales of license plate recognition technology across the U.S. The company has also recently expanded into drones. However, the lawsuit and other legal issues raise concerns about the company's business practices and the potential impact on the surveillance industry as a whole.

The implications of this lawsuit extend beyond Flock and into the broader conversation about the intersection of technology, government, and private industry. As the use of surveillance technology continues to grow, it is essential to ensure that companies are not exerting undue influence over elected officials and that the rights of citizens are protected.