Heavy Lifting, Heavier Price: Goldwater Sues Feds Over $15M Shakedown of Moving Company

In September 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), initiated an “agency-initiated” lawsuit against Meathead Movers—a California based family-owned moving company—alleging “age discrimination.” This is one of only a handful of agency-initiated lawsuits filed by the EEOC, which means that the case was initiated by the agency, rather than based on a complaint against Meathead Movers. The EEOC initially demanded a $15 million fine, against Meathead Movers, evidentially for hiring workers who could perform the job of lifting heavy furniture.

Meathead Movers—and the more than 300 people it employs—was founded in 1997 as a small, family-run operation, it has grown into California’s largest independently owned moving company. Its success is built on a culture of hard work, personal responsibility, and exceptional customer service—symbolized by its practice of employees jogging to and from the truck when not carrying furniture. Along the way, the company has given countless workers the opportunity to develop strong job skills and a solid work ethic.

The EEOC has accused Meathead Movers of “age discrimination” in its hiring practices and marketing materials. On its face, the allegation is absurd. Moving companies, by their nature, require individuals who can safely lift and carry heavy objects for long periods of time. Naturally, younger individuals may be more physically equipped to perform these tasks—but that does not mean Meathead Movers has discriminated against anyone capable of doing the job. On the contrary, the company has and continues to employ workers of all ages.

So why did the federal government target this successful American business.  The Institute sent public records requests to find out.

In March 2025, the Goldwater Institute filed a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request demanding answers: Were any complaints filed against Meathead Movers? Has the EEOC taken similar actions against other companies? The agency refused to hand over that basic information, citing privacy concerns. But privacy is for individuals. Transparency is for the government. Instead of providing the transparency the law demands, federal bureaucrats are keeping the public in the dark.

The Goldwater Institute filed a lawsuit against the EEOC to compel compliance with the FOIA and to require production of the requested information.