Ethereum Foundation hit with lawsuit over firing
6.7 Regulation Kayleen Fulton sued the Ethereum Foundation, alleging wrongful termination and discrimination after disclosing cancer and opposing a controversial mandate.
Kayleen Fulton, a former Ethereum Foundation employee, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Colorado against the foundation and several individuals, including Vitalik Buterin and Bastian Aue. The complaint, submitted on November 4, 2026, alleges wrongful termination, disability discrimination, and interference with medical-leave rights after Fulton disclosed her ovarian cancer diagnosis and organized opposition to the foundation’s internal Mandate document. The Mandate, which included a controversial “Source Seppuku License” clause, faced significant staff objection, including a letter signed by 53 employees. Fulton claims her dismissal occurred 13 days after informing leadership of her diagnosis and 12 days after submitting the staff objection. The lawsuit cites violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. The case follows a June 2026 restructuring that cut 54 positions and has drawn attention to the foundation’s internal governance and employment practices.
