MINNEAPOLIS — Throughout the fight for higher wages waged by rideshare drivers that almost resulted in Uber and Lyft leaving the Twin Cities, Eid Ali, the president of the Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association or MULDA was always front and center.
Now, six drivers including four MULDA board members are suing the association.
Part of the lawsuit accuses Ali of consumer fraud, claiming he accepted money from them and other drivers for membership and that the MULDA website continues to solicit donations, while Ali changed the articles of incorporation to say MULDA has no members.
"When they requested documents to oversee what was going on, they were informed that they've been removed from the board," said Tim Maher, attorney for the plaintiffs.
Maher asked a judge for an injunction, to stop MULDA from removing those board members, as the lawsuit plays out in court.
Ali and attorney Stephen Cooper who represents MULDA are firing back stating the money collected was not for memberships.
"They have absolutely no evidence of any misdeeds at all," said attorney Stephen Cooper. "And that was not for membership. That was merely to become a contributor for legal help for the battle in the legislature."
And they are asking for the judge to dismiss the case, saying videos like this show the plaintiffs undermining Ali and entire MULDA group by recruiting members to join the SEIU union instead.
"We've already defeated Uber and Lyft. Now it's time to defeat the individuals who are trying to misuse our organization," a plaintiff can be heard saying on a video court exhibit.
The judge will make a ruling soon.