Kraken’s co-founder, Jesse Powell is slapped a fancy San Francisco apartment building with a lawsuit, claiming they blocked him from buying a place because of his crypto connections. Sounds like a discrimination.
No land for crypto entrepreneurs?
Powell’s legal team alleges the co-op at 2500 Steiner Street discriminated against him when they rejected his home purchase.
Apparently, it wasn’t just the crypto thing. They also brought up that the FBI searched his house in early 2023 and his support for “nationally popular conservative causes.” Sounds like a recipe for some drama.
Powell isn’t holding back, tweeting that he’s “fed up with condescending, elitist bigots unlawfully discriminating against me.” How we feel, is pretty important, ask anyone.
The dream neighboors?
1/2 I tried everything to avoid filing this lawsuit. Frankly, I'm fed up with condescending, elitist bigots unlawfully discriminating against me. This time it's housing in San Francisco. I had hoped to return to take part in the revitalization of the city. https://t.co/mRi4TpVo1X pic.twitter.com/1CbjlmLvx2
— Jesse Powell (@jespow) February 5, 2025
He claims 2500 Steiner Street is known as a bastion of San Francisco power Democrats. He’s pointing fingers at venture capitalist Bruce Golden, claiming Golden made it his personal mission to deny the sale because he donated millions to Democratic organizations.
According to the lawsuit documents, Powell had a deal to buy a unit in the 12-unit building, pending approval from the co-op board.
But Powell says the board went out of its way to kill the deal, with Golden leading the charge.
You shall not pass?
Powell claims the board initially denied his bid without giving a legit reason, and he thinks this is a big no-no. Later, they said it was about finances and that he didn’t provide a signed tax return, even though that wasn’t a requirement.
He handed over more financial info, but the board still voted against the sale without explanation.
Powell is asking the court to force the sale to go through and award him damages. Will he win? Or the real question is, if he will win, he will be happy living in a place like that?
