A peculiar report citing former Google contractual employees has made a claim that Google Developer Studio (GDS) is being run by a mysterious religious sect. Kevin Lloyd, a video producer for GDS, made a statement that at least 12 members of a mysterious religious cult known as 'Fellowship of Friends' are running the day-to-day operations at the workplace that has an "inappropriate level of influence" over the work environment, reports The New York Times.

Lloyd claimed that he was "wrongly fired for calling out the group's behaviour". He has filed a lawsuit against Google and his contracting agency ASG, seeking damages for wrongful termination, retaliation, emotional distress, and failure to protect him against discrimination. The religious group "believes higher consciousness can be achieved by embracing fine arts and culture" and even has a compound spanning 1,200 acres in Oregon House, California.