Flock Safety, a prominent surveillance startup known for its license plate recognition technology, is under scrutiny after hiring a sitting California mayor and subsequently being sued by him. Mayor Ulises Cabrera of Moreno Valley, a city with over 200,000 residents, claims Flock wrongfully terminated his employment and retaliated against him when he refused to use his mayoral position to benefit the company, according to a lawsuit filed in November 2024.
The lawsuit highlights concerns about the growing influence of private companies on public officials. Cabrera, who has served as Moreno Valley’s part-time mayor since 2022, worked for Flock as a Community Engagement Manager from February to June 2024. During this time, he promoted the company’s surveillance technology to city councils outside his jurisdiction, including Whitewater, Kansas, and Mammoth Lakes, California. According to public meeting records, the role reportedly offered a salary between $100,000 and $140,000, plus stock options, and involved guiding law enforcement agencies through procurement processes.
Ethical Concerns and Retaliation Allegations
Cabrera alleges that just two weeks into his employment, a Flock employee requested that he leverage his position as mayor to benefit the company. Concerned about potential ethical and legal violations, Cabrera forwarded the request to his legal counsel, copying the Flock employee. He claims this led to immediate retaliatory behavior, though the suit does not detail the nature of the request or the alleged retaliation. Cabrera also accuses the company of sexual harassment by the same employee and claims he faced backlash for raising concerns about Flock underreporting surveillance cameras in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
These allegations come amid broader scrutiny of Flock’s practices. Albert Fox Cahn, founder of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, described the claims as “disturbing,” citing a systemic issue of blurred lines between the surveillance industry and government.
Flock’s Defense
Flock denies all allegations and asserts its employment of Cabrera complies with California’s conflict-of-interest regulations. The company states it sought outside legal counsel and trained Cabrera on these rules. Under California law, public officials are prohibited from making decisions tied to their financial interests but can hold private sector jobs.
A Flock spokesperson noted Cabrera’s campaign website mentioned his earlier vote to fund a citywide Flock system in Moreno Valley before he worked for the company. However, neither his campaign materials nor his LinkedIn profile disclose his employment with Flock.
Flock, backed by Andreessen Horowitz and valued at $3.5 billion, has faced mounting legal challenges in recent years. Earlier in 2024, a civil rights organization filed a lawsuit alleging the company’s surveillance practices violate Fourth Amendment rights. The Texas Department of Public Safety also issued a cease-and-desist order in September, claiming Flock lacked proper licensing for certain installations. A 2023 Forbes investigation further revealed instances where Flock operated without permits in multiple states.
This latest lawsuit underscores ongoing debates about surveillance technology, corporate ethics, and the revolving door between government and industry.
Featured image courtesy of Flock Safety
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