Dan Price, the former CEO of credit card processing company Gravity Payments who gained national attention for setting a $70,000 minimum wage for all employees, has been charged with raping a woman in Seattle. The charges, filed in February 2023, mark a dramatic fall from grace for the once-celebrated executive.
According to prosecutors, Price is accused of attempting to forcibly kiss a woman and then sexually assaulting her in 2021 after a business dinner meeting in Seattle. He faces one count of fourth-degree assault and one count of raping a drugged victim. Price has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The criminal charges came several months after Price stepped down as CEO of Gravity Payments in August 2022, amid multiple allegations of misconduct and an investigation by the Seattle Times that revealed a pattern of abuse allegations and controlling behavior toward women. At the time of his resignation, Price cited his need to 'focus full time on fighting false allegations.'
Price rose to national prominence in 2015 when he announced he would cut his own $1.1 million salary to help fund a $70,000 minimum wage for all Gravity Payments employees. The move garnered widespread media attention and earned him praise as a progressive business leader. However, subsequent investigations have revealed a more complex picture of his leadership and personal conduct.
If convicted, Price could face up to life in prison. The case continues to work its way through the King County court system, with future court dates pending.
