I received a prison threat in Indonesia.
4 years.
Sent by lawyers hired by Green Tomato Media (Or GreenTomatoMedia) — a limited liability company registered in New Mexico, USA, founded by Simon Legouge, with managers called Romain Chapron and Till Mauger.
Their goal was simple: silence me before I filed official complaints for worker misclassification.
It didn’t work.
This article documents what happened, what I filed, what the official case reference is, and what every freelancer working with US-based media companies needs to know.
What Is GreenTomatoMedia?
Green Tomato Media is a US-based LLC incorporated in New Mexico.
The company produces digital media content and has engaged independent contractors — including myself — in roles that functionally resemble employee relationships.
Like many media startups, Green Tomato Media engaged contractors to perform core business functions — content creation, editorial production, channel management — under conditions that arguably meet the legal threshold for employee status under US federal and state law.
What Is Worker Misclassification?
Worker misclassification occurs when a company hires workers as independent contractors — avoiding payroll taxes, benefits, and labor protections — when those workers legally qualify as employees.
Under US law, the IRS applies a behavioral and financial control test.
The Department of Labor uses an economic reality test.
If a company controls how, when, and where work is performed and the worker is economically dependent on that company, the worker is likely an employee — regardless of what the contract says.
Misclassification is not a gray area.
It is a federal compliance violation with consequences including back taxes, penalties, and labor law enforcement.
What Happened: Timeline
The story is way more long and horrible, but this is the first episode of a very long serie, don’t worry.
The Working Relationship
I worked with Green Tomato Media as an independent contractor (to launch zith success a Youtube channel called FutureRadar, the sister channel of MoneyRadar). Over time, the nature of the work — the level of control exercised, the exclusivity, the integration into their operations — raised serious questions about whether my classification as a contractor was legally accurate.
The Settlement Ultimatum
I formally raised the issue and presented a settlement ultimatum with a deadline of June 22, 2026 at 17:00 CDT.
Green Tomato Media rejected the ultimatum and keep contacting me and not my lawyer (not allowed)
The Indonesian Prison Threat
Instead of engaging on the merits, GreenTomatoMedia retained Teratas Law Office in Indonesia, which sent me a cease-and-desist threatening prosecution under Indonesia’s ITE (Information and Electronic Transactions) Law — a law that carries up to 4 years imprisonment.
The message was clear: drop the claim or face legal consequences in the country where I live.
I will NEVER drop the claim.
Filing the Complaints
I proceeded to file regulatory complaints with multiple US agencies:
- New Mexico Department of Justice — Complaint filed and acknowledged under case reference NMDOJ-ITK-2026-07115, subsequently referred to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions for investigation.
- IRS Form 3949-A — Filed for reporting tax law violations related to worker misclassification.
- US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division — Additional federal filing targeting misclassification under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Official Case Reference
On June 24, 2026, the New Mexico Department of Justice confirmed receipt of my complaint and assigned the following case reference:
NMDOJ-ITK-2026-07115
The matter was formally referred to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, which has jurisdiction over wage and labor violations in the state. This referral confirms the complaint is active and under review by state authorities.
Why I Am Making This Public
Transparency serves a legitimate purpose in labor enforcement.
I tried to negotiate since 5th May…
It’s OVER.
Publishing documented facts about an active regulatory complaint is legal.
The case reference is a matter of public record.
The names of LLC managers in New Mexico are public information available in the state’s business registry.
My reasons for publishing:
- Other contractors or former contractors of GreenTomatoMedia may have experienced similar working conditions and may not know their rights.
- The use of a foreign criminal law threat (Indonesian ITE law) to silence a labor dispute is a tactic that should be documented.
- Freelancers working internationally for US companies are particularly vulnerable to this kind of pressure strategy.
If you are a freelancer or contractor who has worked with GreenTomatoMedia, you are not alone.
Contact information is available at the bottom of this article.
We are already A LOT.
What Freelancers Working With US Media Companies Need to Know
Worker misclassification is endemic in the digital media industry. Here is what you need to verify if you work or have worked as an independent contractor for a US-based media company:
1. The IRS Behavioral Control Test
Does the company control how you do your work — not just the result, but the method?
Do they set your schedule, require specific tools or processes, or direct your day-to-day activities? If yes, you may be an employee under IRS standards.
2. The Economic Reality Test
Are you economically dependent on this company for the majority of your income?
Do they restrict you from working for competitors? Does the relationship look more like employment than independent business? The Department of Labor’s economic reality test may classify you as an employee.
3. Your Rights If Misclassified
If you have been misclassified, you may be entitled to back pay, overtime, reimbursement of the employer’s share of payroll taxes, and other protections. You can file directly with:
- IRS: Form 3949-A (tax violations) or Form SS-8 (worker classification determination)
- DOL Wage and Hour Division: dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints
- Your state’s department of labor or workforce solutions agency
None of these filings require a lawyer. They are direct, documented, and free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GreenTomatoMedia?
Green Tomato Media is a US LLC registered in New Mexico, operating in the digital media space. Its founders and managers are Simon Legouge, Romain Chapron, and Till Mauger. They are running a lot of websites/Youtube channels around finance, investment, gambling, SEO, casinos, love and more applications…
What is case NMDOJ-ITK-2026-07115?
This is the official complaint reference assigned by the New Mexico Department of Justice on June 24, 2026, following a complaint filed by Rémy Bigot regarding worker misclassification by Green Tomato Media. The case was referred to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions for investigation.
Is it legal to publish this information?
Yes. The complaint is a regulatory filing with a government agency.
The case reference is a matter of public record.
The names of LLC managers are public information available in New Mexico’s business registry. Publishing accurate, documented facts about an active regulatory matter is protected speech.
What is the Indonesian ITE law threat about?
Following the filing of my settlement ultimatum, lawyers retained by Green Tomato Media in Indonesia sent a cease-and-desist threatening prosecution under Indonesia’s ITE Law, which carries up to 4 years in prison.
This threat was sent to discourage me from pursuing the labor complaint. It did not succeed.
Can other contractors who worked with Green Tomato Media come forward?
Yes. If you have worked with Green Tomato Media as an independent contractor and believe you may have been misclassified, you have the right to file your own complaint with the IRS, the DOL, or your state’s workforce agency. You can also contact me directly through montersonbusiness.com.
We are planning to do a collective actions or a class action.
What happens next?
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions is now handling the referred complaint.
Additional federal filings are in process. I will update this article as the matter develops.
What is worker misclassification?
Worker misclassification is the practice of labeling workers as independent contractors when they legally qualify as employees. It allows companies to avoid payroll taxes, overtime, benefits, and labor protections. It is a violation of IRS and Department of Labor regulations.
Do I need a lawyer to file a misclassification complaint?
No. You can file IRS Form 3949-A, IRS Form SS-8, and DOL Wage and Hour complaints directly, at no cost, without legal representation.
Stay Updated
This case is ongoing.
I just told you 5% here.
I will publish updates on montersonbusiness.com and on Linkedin as the regulatory process develops.
If you are a freelancer or contractor who has worked with Green Tomato Media and believes you may have been misclassified, reach out. You have rights. You have recourse. And you do not need a lawyer to use them.