Dave Ramsey Company Sued For ‘Cult-Like’ Atmosphere

RNS photo by Bob Smietana

The company owned by Christian personal finance adviser and radio host Dave Ramsey is being sued for alleged religious discrimination and misrepresentation, the Religion News Service reports.

A complaint filed Thursday (April 15) in a county court alleges the Lampo Group, which does business as Ramsey Solutions, was run as a “religious cult” and required employees to give “complete and total submission to Dave Ramsey and his views of the world to maintain employment.”

Ramsey, whose Financial Peace University materials on personal finances are used by churches nationwide, is also named as a defendant.

The complaint also alleges Ramsey’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic put employees and their families at risk.

Dave Ramsey

Lawyers for Brad Amos, a former Ramsey Solutions video editor, alleged their client was fired by the company because he objected to Ramsey’s views on the COVID-19 pandemic. Ramsey has consistently downplayed the risk of COVID-19, has referred to those who wear masks as “wusses” and barred employees from working at home for much of the pandemic. 

The company also held a mostly maskless, in-person Christmas party and has sued a Florida hotel for breach of contract after the hotel said it would require attendees at a Ramsey conference to wear masks. 

The complaint alleges that Ramsey’s views on the pandemic are largely shaped by religion and that Amos was fired for disagreeing with those religious views.

In response to the lawsuit, Ramsey Solutions told RNS via email that the suit is “full of blatantly false allegations that have no merit.” The organization accused Amos of “inflammatory and false statements” and said they are prepared to take action, citing slander and defamation. “It appears the goal of this lawsuit is to smear Ramsey Solutions’ reputation and extort a large settlement, and we are fully prepared to defend this lawsuit and prevail.”