Kayleen Fulton, previously a manager at the Ethereum Foundation, has filed a lawsuit against the foundation, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, and four other individuals. Fulton, known as “Nixo” within the Ethereum community, claims her dismissal was linked to her disclosure of a cancer diagnosis and her involvement in organizing an internal letter related to new governance measures at the organization.
Core allegations in the lawsuit
The complaint, submitted by Fulton to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado on November 4, specifies that she led the protocol support team at the foundation. The filing identifies Bastian Aue, who was serving as co-executive director at that time, as the individual responsible for terminating Fulton’s employment on April 6. Fulton notes that her dismissal occurred just 13 days after she informed the organization of her cancer diagnosis.
Vitalik Buterin is cited in the lawsuit for his reported involvement as a board member in adopting and implementing the contested internal directive. Fulton argues that the dismissal process constituted discrimination based on disability, retaliation, and interference with medical leave rights. The lawsuit seeks compensation for lost wages and additional damages.
Fulton explained that while she supported the new governance framework’s objectives, she objected to employees being required to endorse the framework as a condition of continued employment.
Internal letter and dismissals
Alongside her colleague Trent Van Epps, Fulton participated in organizing a letter objecting to the directive. The letter, which received signatures from 53 employees, expressed support for the initiative’s general direction but opposed tying employment to employees’ explicit approval of the new approach.
According to the lawsuit, Fulton and Van Epps were dismissed on April 6, with their terminations occurring about 30 minutes apart, only a few days after submitting the letter. The complaint also mentions that some employees objected to the use of the term “ritual suicide” in the directive. The filing states that Bastian Aue told staff the phrase was used metaphorically.
Timing and formal communications are considered crucial in such organizational disputes, as employee responses and official rationale can have significant legal and reputational consequences for technology organizations like the Ethereum Foundation.
Mini dictionary: Ethereum Foundation, a nonprofit entity overseeing the development and governance of the Ethereum blockchain protocol and ecosystem. The foundation supports core infrastructure, grants, and research to ensure Ethereum’s ongoing growth and decentralization.
Response from the foundation
A response letter dated May 14 and included in the lawsuit, issued by an attorney representing Ethereum Asia Pacific Limited, a Singapore-based subsidiary of the foundation, denies any wrongdoing. The letter states that Fulton did not face unlawful treatment or retaliation and maintains that the separation agreement she signed remains binding.
The letter from Ethereum Asia Pacific Limited reiterates the position that no illegal action or retaliation occurred against Fulton and underscores the validity of the signed separation agreement.
There have been no further updates from any of the parties involved regarding the court proceedings. Requests for comment sent to Fulton, Van Epps, and the Ethereum Foundation did not receive a response as of publication time.
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