Kayleen Fulton, former head of the Protocol Support team at the Ethereum Foundation, has filed a lawsuit against the organization, Vitalik Buterin, and Bastian Aue. The complaint, submitted to the US District Court for the District of Colorado on November 4, 2026, alleges wrongful termination and discrimination.
Fulton claims she was fired on April 6, 2026, shortly after disclosing an ovarian cancer diagnosis on March 24, 2026. She asserts that her dismissal, which also affected organizer Trent Van Epps, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Her annual salary in the role was $195 000.
The lawsuit also cites internal conflict regarding a document titled the Ethereum Foundation Mandate, which circulated in February 2026 and was finalized on March 13. Fulton and 53 other employees signed a letter opposing the document, which included a provision referred to as the Source Seppuku License.
Fulton alleges that her opposition to the mandate, combined with her medical disclosure, led to her termination. The court has not yet issued a ruling on the allegations, and the foundation has not provided a formal response to the claims.
