AFT Michigan and Project Veritas Reach Settlement

A federal lawsuit over allegations of workplace infiltration concludes with a dismissal of all claims.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Unions

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a sharp geometric stone building corner, evoking institutional legal policy. — A federal lawsuit between AFT Michigan and Project Veritas has concluded, resulting in a voluntary dismissal of all claims. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The American Federation of Teachers Michigan and Project Veritas have reached a settlement, ending a long-running legal battle in a Detroit federal court. The case, which centered on claims of workplace infiltration by an operative, was dismissed with prejudice.

Why it matters

The resolution brings an end to a high-profile dispute involving claims of corporate espionage and unauthorized data collection within organized labor. It follows a judicial ruling that cleared hurdles regarding trespass and fraud allegations.

AFT Michigan represents 40,000 workers across 105 local unions. The federal judge previously granted the union summary judgment on trespass and fraud claims in March 2026, though no attorney fees were awarded to either party.

The players

AFT Michigan

This is a labor organization that represents 40,000 workers through 105 local unions across the state.

Project Veritas

This is a non-profit organization known for conducting undercover investigations and publishing hidden-camera footage.

Marisa Jorge

She is the operative alleged to have infiltrated the union by using a false identity to obtain an internship.

The details

The litigation alleged that a Project Veritas operative named Marisa Jorge used a false identity to secure an internship, where she recorded conversations and copied confidential documents. While the court ruled in favor of the union on trespass and fraudulent misrepresentation, it determined Jorge did not violate state eavesdropping laws.

2017: AFT Michigan filed the initial lawsuit against Project Veritas.
March 2026: A federal judge granted summary judgment on trespass and fraud claims.
September 2026: A formal order was filed in Detroit federal court to dismiss the case.
October 20, 2026: The case was originally scheduled to proceed to a jury trial.
October 23, 2026: AFT Michigan officially announced that a settlement had been reached.

Political Context

The litigation surrounding the 2017 AFT Michigan vs. Project Veritas lawsuit serves as a significant legal marker for how organizations handle unauthorized infiltration by outside investigators. This settlement closes a chapter in a long-standing debate between labor unions and undercover reporting entities over corporate privacy and labor rights.

This settlement resolves the uncertainty of a looming trial for the local union and its members. No new regulations or financial impacts on taxpayers were identified in the court agreement.

The takeaway

The end of this litigation demonstrates how long-standing civil disputes can reach a conclusion before reaching a jury trial. Parties in similar cases often opt for settlements to avoid the unpredictable outcomes and continued costs associated with courtroom proceedings.