A court-appointed receiver says a St. Peterburg-based company is violating money laundering rules as well as American sanctions against Russia.

The federal lawsuit, filed by Melanie Damian, also says Deel Inc. is “an illegal enterprise” with significant ties to Russia and transmits money without required U.S. licenses. Deel hails itself as a leader in the emerging Human Resources outsourcing industry that encourages growth of the “gig” economy.

Damian is the court-appointed Securities and Exchange Commission receiver on behalf of Surge Capital Ventures LLC. She filed the complaint January 3 on behalf of herself and others similarly situated against Deel Inc., DPayments LLC and Jeremy Berger.