A conservative legal organization, America First Legal, has filed a lawsuit against Target [TGT:US] on behalf of investor Brian Craig, accusing the company of misrepresenting the effectiveness of its risk monitoring, as reported by Reuters on August 9. This alleged misrepresentation came to light when Target faced unexpected backlash from customers over LGBTQ-themed merchandise. The lawsuit, filed in a Florida federal court, not only targets Target itself but also names CEO Brian Cornell and the company’s board of directors. America First Legal, led by Stephen Miller, a former advisor to ex-President Donald Trump, is a nonprofit group involved in the legal battle against corporations that have implemented social policies, aligning with a broader trend of conservative legal groups challenging such corporate actions.

The lawsuit represents a continuation of the ongoing legal conflict between conservative entities and Republican legislators against corporations that have taken stances on social issues like race and gender. This lawsuit alleges that Target’s board downplayed their oversight of “social and political risks” concerning the company, giving more weight to the demands of progressive activist investors and neglecting to consider the potential negative repercussions from customers. Brian Craig, the investor behind the lawsuit who holds 216 shares in Target, asserts that the board’s assertion of monitoring social and political risks is misleading, as it seemed to focus solely on risks associated with not achieving the company’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals. This legal action reflects a broader pushback against corporations’ involvement in contentious social issues from a conservative standpoint.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/target-sued-by-investor-over-backlash-lgbtq-merchandise-2023-08-09/