Former Ethereum Foundation employee Kayleen Fulton sued the foundation, Vitalik Buterin and four other defendants in federal court, alleging she was fired on April 6 after disclosing an ovarian cancer diagnosis and helping organize a staff protest. The complaint says she was dismissed 13 days after telling senior management about her diagnosis, but does not establish that Buterin personally ordered her firing.
Fulton and another employee organized a letter signed by 53 staff members opposing a requirement to endorse a document that contained a disputed pledge or face termination. Management ultimately allowed dissenting employees to keep their jobs, but the two organizers were fired. Fulton brings 11 claims, including disability discrimination and retaliation, and is challenging a separation agreement that includes an arbitration provision. Her separate unfair labor practice charge was pending when the lawsuit was filed.
