DCWP Wins Over $500,000 in Restitution for Freelancers, Holds Production Company Accountable for Chronic Late Payments
February 24, 2026
Commissioner Levine Stands With Creative Industry Workers, Reinforces City’s Landmark Freelance Worker Protections
NEW YORK, NY – Today the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) announced a $528,817 settlement with Splashlight, a New York City-based creative production company, for systematically violating freelance workers’ legal right to timely payments under the Freelance Isn’t Free Act. The settlement follows a cascade of complaints from freelance workers who reported unpaid services and unfulfilled contractual agreements from the company. A 2025 DCWP investigation laid bare that Splashlight failed to provide payments to hundreds of self-employed creatives for their work, demonstrating a management culture that approached the law – and basic worker dignity – as optional.
Under the terms of the settlement, Splashlight will pay over half a million dollars in restitution and civil penalties to 350 freelancers who worked in New York City. The agreement ensures that freelancers who were never paid will receive full compensation, while those who were paid late will receive additional damages for delayed payment, as required by law. The case underscores the City’s ongoing commitment to enforcing the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, trailblazing protections designed to safeguard independent workers from unscrupulous conduct, vague contracts, and delayed compensation. DCWP encourages freelancers who believe their rights have been violated to file a complaint with the department by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov/workers.
“Creative self-starters don’t just tell the story of New York City, they are the story of New York City – and their labor isn’t free. Splashlight chose to learn this lesson the hard way,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “DCWP will continue using every tool in our toolbox to enforce the Freelance Isn’t Free Act and ensure that freelancers are paid on time, in full.”
Freelance Isn’t Free Act
New York City’s Freelance Isn’t Free Act, the first law of its kind in the country, gives freelance workers the right to a written contract, timely payment, and freedom from retaliation. The Law established a court navigation program as one avenue to assist freelancers in getting paid and accessing resources. It also authorizes the City to file cases against any person or business that shows a pattern or practice of violating the Law. Under the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, freelance workers must receive payment for their services on or before the date listed in the contract. If the contract does not include a payment date, the hiring party must pay the freelancer within 30 days of the work being completed.
Since Freelance Isn't Free went into effect in 2017, DCWP has received 4,832 complaints about potential violations, closed 4,394 cases, and helped Freelancers recover over $3,526,572.
This case was handled by Court Navigator Courtney Golden-Murphy, Supervising Court Navigator Lisa Billups, Senior Staff Counsel Emily Whalen, Senior Data Scientist Amanda Gallear, and Litigation Director Emily Hoffman, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Wagoner and the New York City Law Department’s Affirmative Litigation Division.
DCWP Actions to Protect Workers
This announcement comes as the Mamdani administration ramps up efforts to enforce New York City's worker rights laws and hold companies accountable for ripping off hardworking New Yorkers. Earlier this year, Commissioner Levine announced that Uber Eats, Fantuan, and HungryPanda will pay a combined $5,195,000 in restitution, civil penalties, and damages to more than 49,000 food delivery workers to resolve violations of the City’s Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Last month, DCWP also filed a lawsuit against Motoclick and sent compliance warnings to over 60 companies including Instacart, DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber, and other app companies, warning them to adhere to expanded delivery worker protection laws that recently went into effect.
The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Media Contact:
Milo Fink Gringlas
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-4977
press@dcwp.nyc.gov