Former Ethereum Foundation employee Kayleen Fulton has filed a lawsuit against the organization and co-founder Vitalik Buterin, alleging retaliation and disability discrimination following an internal dispute. The complaint, filed November 4 in the U.S. District Court for Colorado, names six defendants.
Fulton claims the Foundation terminated her shortly after she disclosed her ovarian cancer diagnosis and challenged its controversial employee mandate. The case raises questions about workplace protections, leadership accountability, and how major blockchain organizations handle internal disagreements.
Dispute Over Ethereum Foundation Mandate
The conflict reportedly began in February 2026, when the Foundation introduced a mandate requiring employees to affirm its organizational direction. However, the document contained a controversial pledge that referenced ritual suicide. This sparked significant internal opposition, with 79 employees reportedly supporting its removal.
Consequently, management introduced a requirement for employees to personally endorse the mandate. Fulton and colleague Trent Van Epps organized a letter signed by 53 employees opposing the compulsory endorsement. Additionally, Fulton disclosed her cancer diagnosis to management on March 24 and requested employment protection.
Lawsuit Targets Buterin and Foundation Leadership
On April 6, the Foundation terminated Fulton and Van Epps, despite previously acknowledging the employees’ concerns. Fulton alleges that management provided no performance-related justification for her dismissal.
Moreover, the lawsuit references a recorded conversation in which Buterin allegedly defended the decision. He reportedly expressed concern that rewarding internal controversy could encourage employees to influence organizational decisions.
Fulton seeks damages under federal disability and employment laws. However, the court has yet to establish the allegations, and the defendants’ liability remains unresolved.
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