A company that said it provided consulting services to the campaign of progressive 4th Congressional District candidate Amy Vilela in its earliest stages is now suing her for breach of contract, saying she owes more than $90,000.

The People’s Project LLC filed a lawsuit May 8 in Clark County against Vilela and her campaign manager Keenan Korth, who described the situation as “a very small matter.”

"We recently learned that a complaint was filed involving services allegedly provided by a campaign consultant,” Korth said in a statement. “It’s in the hands of our lawyer, Lance Coburn, and we are truly not concerned about it. They allege they provided certain services. We disagree. We are confident in our position.”

People’s Project LLC, founded in 2017 with six managing members included Korth and five others: Tisia Stemp, Tom McCullough, Manuel Arizala, Sedef Buykataman and Rose Ann Rabiola Miele.

The company alleges that it contracted with Vilela to provide political consulting services from August 2017 through the primary. They say Vilela agreed to pay them as much as $8,000 a month plus 15 percent of fundraising proceeds, and said they provided everything from “emotional support” to scheduling services, interview coaching and assets for grooming and dressing.

The lawsuit says People’s Project notified Vilela’s campaign that they were resigning in December — just as sexual harassment allegations against incumbent Rep. Ruben Kihuen were emerging and her campaign’s chances started looking brighter — and the parties determined the consulting firm was owed $22,802. But they say she has only paid them $3,751, and that Korth, the member who remains with the campaign, is receiving funds due to the whole company and has competed against the group.

They also allege he has made unspecified racist and sexist remarks, and that Vilela’s Federal Election Commission filings don’t show payments made to, or debts owed to, the company. They’re asking for $90,000 in compensation for conspiracy, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

Korth said the focus should remain on Vilela’s overarching goals for the campaign. Her positions are the furthest left in a field of numerous Democrats that includes former Rep. Steven Horsford, who is more moderate, has raised far more than his primary opponents and has backing from the Culinary Union and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

“At a time when so much is at stake, let’s not get distracted by something so inconsequential, and instead stay focused on the critical issues in this campaign and this election – Medicare for All, raising the minimum wage, comprehensive immigration reform, guaranteeing affordable housing, quality public education, and good jobs with full benefits,” Korth said.

People's Project Complaint by Michelle Rindels on Scribd