NEWPORT BEACH — William Nieporte, a co-founder of Bramshill Investments, filed a federal lawsuit in May 2026 against ADP Totalsource seeking at least $30 million in damages. The filing follows Nieporte's 2022 termination from the firm after he did not comply with a return-to-office policy.

Nieporte was living in San Ramon, California, in 2022 when Bramshill issued an email directing staff to work five days a week at one of the firm's three offices. The mandate, signed by Nieporte, Stephen Selver, and Art DeGaetano, carried a July 5, 2022, deadline. San Ramon is hundreds of miles from Newport Beach, California, the location of the closest Bramshill office.

Selver and DeGaetano sent Nieporte a termination letter stating, "You have willfully and deliberately failed to report to 'in-person' work." DeGaetano wrote to Nieporte after the July 5, 2022, deadline: "We have both junior and senior employees commuting over one hour each way to work, and yet you feel this policy doesn't apply to you."

Nieporte is engaged in arbitration proceedings with Bramshill, its parent company Ironmen, Selver, and DeGaetano. Bramshill stated that Nieporte's claims were fabricated, that he is not owed any money, and that his termination resulted from dereliction of duty.

Matthew Press, Nieporte's attorney with Press Koral LLP, stated that neglecting the return-to-office order was not sufficient cause for termination. Press said the policy was "aimed at employees and did not validly apply to Mr. Nieporte, who was an owner and manager of the company." Nieporte held a 12% stake in Bramshill, while Selver held a 40% stake and DeGaetano held 48%.

Nieporte claimed that Selver and DeGaetano approved his move to San Ramon in 2017. He also alleged that in 2021, Selver and DeGaetano offered to buy his share in Bramshill. According to Nieporte, he was given 30 days before further action would be taken regarding a buyout, but he contends he was fired before that period ended. Nieporte alleged that after his termination, his share of the firm's profits stopped and his interest in Bramshill was converted.