No I don’t see it as breaking any law - Period. That is my interpretation of what I would do And I feel quite defensible in that stance - an opinion only.
But the problem here is that your "opinion" is misinformed and people who know are trying to tell you this, so you won't make that mistake again, or worse, violate the law yourself.
Here is the Federal US Code:
49 U.S. Code § 46306
(b)General Criminal Penalty.—Except as provided by subsection (c) of this section, a
person shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 3 years, or both, if the
person—
(7) knowingly and willfully serves or attempts to serve in any capacity as an airman without an
airman’s certificate authorizing the individual to serve in that capacity;
(8) knowingly and willfully employs for service or uses in any capacity as an airman an individual who does not have an
airman’s certificate authorizing the individual to serve in that capacity
(7) Applies to the illegal Drone Pilot
(8) Applies to the person who hired the Drone Pilot
Here's a link to the law:
49 U.S. Code § 46306 Read it for yourself.