Is SpaceX routinely stiffing its outside construction contractors in Boca Chica?
According to an article today in the San Antonio Express-News SpaceX has been routinely not paying its bills to construction contractors hired by it to build things in Boca Chica, and almost three dozen have had to file liens against the company to get their money.
A San Antonio Express-New review of Texas property records found at least 29 contractors — and six in San Antonio — have filed 77 liens against SpaceX since March 2022. Their total value is up from $2.5 million in May. Since then, SpaceX has settled at least six liens but gained another 44.
Though it’s unclear whether the money is owed by SpaceX, its general contractors or subcontractors, landowners are ultimately responsible for unpaid construction bills on their properties under Texas law. The liens are a legal mechanism for contractors and suppliers to secure their claims.
The article admits repeatedly that its information is incomplete, and that many of these liens might already be settled. It also admits that the failure to pay might not be by SpaceX, but as landowner with the most money, it is the biggest target capable of forcing payment by others.
It is also likely, with the amount of work and expansion that is going on at Boca Chica, such liens are somewhat expected, especially because they seem to be a relatively small amount compared to the billions that SpaceX is spending in the area.
Thus, though the article appears to suggest SpaceX is a deadbeat company, it also appears the article might also be part of the propaganda press’s effort to slander Elon Musk wherever it can.
Regardless, if SpaceX is behind in paying its bills, it needs to fix this issue now.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
According to an article today in the San Antonio Express-News SpaceX has been routinely not paying its bills to construction contractors hired by it to build things in Boca Chica, and almost three dozen have had to file liens against the company to get their money.
A San Antonio Express-New review of Texas property records found at least 29 contractors — and six in San Antonio — have filed 77 liens against SpaceX since March 2022. Their total value is up from $2.5 million in May. Since then, SpaceX has settled at least six liens but gained another 44.
Though it’s unclear whether the money is owed by SpaceX, its general contractors or subcontractors, landowners are ultimately responsible for unpaid construction bills on their properties under Texas law. The liens are a legal mechanism for contractors and suppliers to secure their claims.
The article admits repeatedly that its information is incomplete, and that many of these liens might already be settled. It also admits that the failure to pay might not be by SpaceX, but as landowner with the most money, it is the biggest target capable of forcing payment by others.
It is also likely, with the amount of work and expansion that is going on at Boca Chica, such liens are somewhat expected, especially because they seem to be a relatively small amount compared to the billions that SpaceX is spending in the area.
Thus, though the article appears to suggest SpaceX is a deadbeat company, it also appears the article might also be part of the propaganda press’s effort to slander Elon Musk wherever it can.
Regardless, if SpaceX is behind in paying its bills, it needs to fix this issue now.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
in my experience some suppliers, and some sub-contractors as a matter of standard practice will place liens on the property to ensure payment by an intermediary or the general contractor. Sometimes it is a sub-contractor being a jerk.
Sometimes the liens are released immediately, sometimes you have to do some gentle reminding, and sometimes you go to court…
If the liens are looking old, then it is a sign that something isn’t working right (on one side or the other).
Anyone involved in construction knows there is a long chain from Owner to Construction Manager(s) thru prime and many various subcontractors. There will be “bad pay” companies in the mix of most large projects.
For construction in my area, payment is usually no better than 120 days after performed/billed. For some very large and reputable organizations, it’s known that you’ll be waiting close to a year to get paid for legitimate changes.
Without any real details this was typical anti-Musk hit piece.
Another reason for the swamp to hate Elon Musk: Weaponized Autism.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is being spearheaded by 20-year-old autists that Elon Musk is bringing in from SpaceX per Wired magazine.
Wired Magazine:
“The Young, Inexperienced Engineers Aiding Elon Musk’s Government Takeover
Engineers between 19 and 24, most linked to Musk’s companies, are playing a key role as he seizes control of federal infrastructure.”
https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-government-young-engineers/
To which Elon Musk Tweeted a reply this morning:
Elon Musk @elonmusk
Time to confess:
Media reports saying that @DOGE has some of world’s best software engineers are in fact true.
8:55 AM · Feb 3, 2025
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1886458513771377099
The article almost certainly would not have been published if Musk had not made Twitter/X into a platform for free speech.
True-still, it is a bad look.
I live about 45 miles from the center of San Antonio. It is a politically Left leaning city. The city’s news outlets are propaganda organs of the Left. Publishing a hit-piece on Elon Musk is just an activity for any day ending in y. They will leave out any facts that are not supportive of the Left’s narrative.
I have ill will towards home repair contractors
I am surprised nothing has been reported about Francisco Cabada–still in a coma?