Report: Gravity Payments founder Dan Price charged with rape in California, denies allegations
Gravity Payments founder and former CEO Dan Price was charged with the alleged rape of a former girlfriend in Riverside County, Calif., The New York Times reported.
The charges stem from a 2021 incident in which Price is alleged to have raped a woman while she was unconscious at a hotel in Palm Springs, Calif, according to the report, which cited court records.
In a statement to GeekWire, provided by his lawyer, Price vowed to fight the charge. “As I said when these false allegations were reported over two years ago, I have never physically or sexually abused anyone,” Price said in the statement. “I’m going to fight this charge and prove my innocence in court.”
Here’s a statement from Price’s lawyer, Vicki Podberesky:
“Nothing has changed in the two years since these allegations were first reported in the media: there is no credible evidence to support this accusation, and Mr. Price categorically denies that he sexually assaulted anyone. While we applaud the district attorney’s decision to dismiss the charge of rape by intoxication, as further facts come to light it will be clear that Mr. Price is innocent of the remaining charge. We intend to vigorously defend against this charge, and we are confident that in the end Mr. Price will be cleared of all wrongdoing.” — Vicki Podberesky
Price stepped down as CEO of Seattle-based Gravity Payments in 2022. Earlier that year, a report from The New York Times detailed the 2021 incident and “a pattern of abuse in his personal life and hostile behavior at his company.”
He rose to worldwide fame in 2015 for his plan to raise the minimum wage at Gravity Payments to $70,000.
Price founded the credit card transaction processing company in 2004. He returned to Gravity earlier this year in a new role “advising and assisting the CEO on strategy,” according to a social media post.
In 2022, Price faced misdemeanor charges of assault and reckless driving in Seattle; the case was dropped last year, according to The New York Times.