A former lobbyist for the San Francisco police officers' union has claims he and his firm were wrongly dismissed following a leadership change, and he is owed pay.
Lucien Global, which does busines as Lucien Partners, has filed a new complaint against the San Francisco Police Officer's Association and unnamed others in San Francisco Superior Court on Feb. 23. The suit is accusing SFPOA of terminating their contract with Lucien without cause and refusing to pay in full for contracted services, allegedly believing Lucien did not fulfill their end of the agreement.
Lucien Partners is a public relations firm specializing in legislative campaign management. Their services include legislative advocacy, strategic management and planning, strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, influence and partner management, and media engagement, according to the complaint.
In its capacity as consultant, the firm purportedly helps clients develop strategies to navigate various media channels, monitor the legislative climate, make recommendations to increase a client's influence or center attention on the legislative landscape that may impact the client.
Lucien Partners was hired on a 1-year contract by the SFPOA, beginning in October 2021, according to the complaint. Lucien allegedly agreed to provide all their services, except media engagement.
SFPOA allegedly agreed to a fee of $7,000 per month for the duration of the contract, unless it was mutually agreed upon to terminate the contract.
At the time of the contract's inception, the SFPOA was headed by Tony Montoya, as president. On Feb. 14, 2021, Montoya reportedly took a leave of absence, triggering a change in leadership. He was replaced by Tracy McCray, who allegedly expressed multiple concerns regarding the contractual agreement between Lucien and the SFPOA, under Montoya.
Shortly after taking over, McCray terminated the contract on the grounds that the deal no longer supported the financial vision of the SFPOA or the needs of its members, allegedly due to a deteriorating political landscape.
"Since Tony has taken an official leave of absence, the landscape in the city has deteriorated for my members," McCray allegedly wrote in an email to Lucien on March 19, 2022. "I know Tony’s vision was expanding the footprint of the SFPOA but unfortunately, that vision has been compromised by things, not in our control. I hope you understand the position we are in at this moment."
Lucien asserts these are not valid reasons for terminating the contract.
The SFPOA also suggested that the services agreed on were not sufficiently executed and have allegedly refused to honor the contract's financial terms. Lucien contends no attempt was made during the course of the contract to suggest there were any outstanding services amiss.
Lucien asserts the SFPOA owes them at least $42,000, the unpaid fees for services they allege were adequately rendered in good faith.
Lucien is seeking actual damages of $42,000 with interest at 10% per year for services rendered, court costs and legal fees.
Lucien Global is represented by attorney Darryl Lucien, of Lucien Law Group, of Encino.