AFT Michigan Settles Lawsuit With Project Veritas

The union and the organization reached a private settlement after years of litigation regarding a 2017 infiltration.

Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Unions

AFT Michigan Settles Lawsuit With Project Veritas

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Should labor unions have more legal protections against undercover infiltration efforts by outside organizations?

AFT Michigan and Project Veritas have resolved a legal battle stemming from a 2017 incident where an operative allegedly infiltrated the union under false pretenses. The federal court case was dismissed with prejudice following the private settlement agreement.

Why it matters

AFT Michigan leaders believe the resolution serves as a necessary deterrent against future infiltration attempts by outside organizations. The legal fight centered on allegations of illicit recording and the mishandling of confidential union documents.

AFT Michigan represents 40,000 workers across 105 local unions. In March 2026, a federal judge granted the union summary judgment on claims of trespass and fraudulent misrepresentation, though no attorney fees were awarded.

The players

AFT Michigan

This organization is a state federation representing approximately 40,000 workers across 105 local unions.

Project Veritas

This is an organization known for using undercover investigative techniques to target public institutions and private companies.

Marisa Jorge

She is the operative who allegedly used a false identity to secure an internship at the union.

The details

The dispute involved claims that Project Veritas operative Marisa Jorge used a fake identity to secure an internship, eventually recording conversations and copying files to create a misleading narrative. While the court ruled against eavesdropping law violations, the case proceeded until the recent dismissal.

In 2017, a Project Veritas operative allegedly infiltrated AFT Michigan.
In March 2026, a federal judge ruled on summary judgment motions.
In late September 2026, a court order for case dismissal was filed.
October 20, 2026, was the scheduled trial date for the lawsuit.
On October 23, 2026, AFT Michigan announced the settlement.

Political Context

This settlement follows a trend of litigation involving activist organizations testing the legal boundaries of undercover journalism and corporate security. Opposition groups often argue these cases infringe upon First Amendment rights while labor entities maintain the actions constitute illegal trespassing.

The closure of this case means no further court proceedings or public testimony will take place regarding the 2017 incident. Members of the local union will see no changes to their existing representation or dues structure as a result of the private settlement.

The takeaway

Private settlements in high-profile labor litigation often prevent the disclosure of internal corporate or union security weaknesses. Organizations should maintain robust document control policies regardless of ongoing legal threats to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access.