Dan Price: Dan Price, the former CEO of Gravity Payments, faces a serious legal battle after being charged with the alleged rape of an unconscious victim by a California grand jury. Price, who rose to fame for his $70,000 minimum salary initiative at Gravity Payments, was arraigned in Riverside County last week on charges stemming from a 2021 incident involving his then-girlfriend. Court records reveal that Price was accused of assaulting her at a Palm Springs hotel while she was unconscious.
This isn’t the first time Price has faced accusations. In 2022, a detailed New York Times investigation uncovered multiple allegations from over a dozen women who described a pattern of abusive behavior. Price, who resigned from Gravity Payments in 2022 following the investigation, returned to the company in an advisory role in 2023.
Price, who maintains his innocence, stated on social media last week, “This false accusation was first promoted in a blog in 2021 and then promoted worldwide in the press in 2022. I am going to prove that the allegation is false in court.” His attorney, Vicki Podberesky, echoed his statement, asserting that “there is no credible evidence to support this accusation,” and pledged to defend against the charge vigorously.
In an unexpected move, an additional charge of rape of an intoxicated person was dismissed by the court. According to Podberesky, Price’s defense team is “confident that in the end Mr. Price will be cleared of all wrongdoing.” Price’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 2025.
Price’s story drew significant media attention in 2015 when he set a $70,000 minimum wage for all Gravity Payments employees. The decision attracted both praise and criticism and made him a popular figure on social media, where he frequently criticized corporate greed. His recent legal troubles, however, have tarnished his public image and cast a shadow over his once-celebrated achievements.
As this case unfolds, Price remains determined to clear his name, even as he faces the weight of public and legal scrutiny. The outcome of his trial could have lasting implications for both Price’s legacy and the corporate culture he once championed.
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