Wealthy Heiress Takes Legal Action Against Former Friend Over Crypto Losses
In a dramatic turn of events, Taylor Thomson, a member of one of Canada’s wealthiest families, has initiated a lawsuit against her former close friend, Ashley Richardson, following a disastrous cryptocurrency investment that allegedly resulted in an $80 million loss. Richardson, who has fallen on hard times and now works as an Uber driver, is representing herself in court as she faces the allegations stemming from their failed financial venture, which was reportedly influenced by the guidance of psychics.
From Friends to Foes: The Breakdown of a Close Friendship
Thomson, aged 66 and the middle child of the billionaire Thomson clan, and Richardson, a 47-year-old former California socialite, had cultivated a close friendship since their initial meeting at a Malibu house party in 2009. However, their bond deteriorated in 2022 when they heeded the advice of their psychics and made a fateful investment in a cryptocurrency that plummeted within a year. Thomson has accused Richardson of executing numerous risky trades without her knowledge, alleging that she was exploited for her wealth. In response, Richardson has denied these claims and criticized Thomson, stating that the billionaire had betrayed their friendship and left her in dire financial straits. “I have lost everything because of you, and now you choose to sue someone who has nothing left to lose,” Richardson expressed in a heartfelt message to Thomson.
A Supportive Friend Turned Accused
During their more than twelve years of friendship, Richardson played a pivotal role in supporting Thomson, even assisting her in relocating her chickens from Bel Air to Hollywood. However, as reported, Thomson has a history of being distrustful and aggressive towards those she perceives as threats to her fortune. This suspicion reportedly led her to hire a private investigator previously convicted of crimes to surveil a former nanny during a custody dispute, indicating her inclination to protect her wealth at all costs.
Psychics and Crypto: The Investment Gone Wrong
Despite Thomson’s reportedly vindictive tendencies, Richardson claims she was always looking out for her friend against those she referred to as “Takers” seeking to exploit Thomson’s wealth. Ironically, it was Richardson who was labeled as a “Taker” after their ill-fated crypto investment in 2021. Following the pandemic, Richardson became captivated by the advice of a celebrity psychic who encouraged her to invest in the Persistence crypto token. After sharing this investment opportunity with Thomson, the heiress sought counsel from her own psychic, leading them both to invest substantially in the token.
The Financial Fallout of Their Investment
After receiving affirmative guidance from Sabella, Thomson and Richardson invested heavily in the Persistence token, with Richardson committing a significant portion of her savings and Thomson investing over $40 million. As trading intensified, Thomson allegedly expressed enthusiasm for further investments, prompting Richardson to advise caution when Thomson considered spending an additional $60 million after the token showed early promise. During this period, Richardson claimed she dedicated up to 20 hours each day to researching cryptocurrencies and managing Thomson’s investments, at times controlling portfolios worth up to $140 million.
Legal Battles After Market Crash
When the cryptocurrency market collapsed in 2022, both women suffered devastating losses—Richardson lost everything, while Thomson felt betrayed and sought legal recourse to reclaim her funds. In 2023, Thomson initiated a lawsuit against both Richardson and Persistence, demanding at least $25 million for their alleged roles in drawing her into the investment as a targeted “whale.” Although a settlement was reached with Persistence, Richardson continues to contest Thomson’s claims in court.
Claims of Unauthorized Trades and Counterclaims
Bradley Dizik, president of a consulting firm, reported that during the initial half of 2022, Richardson executed around 450,000 trades using Thomson’s funds, many of which were unauthorized and deemed highly risky. Thomson alleges that this led to losses exceeding $80 million. Conversely, Richardson maintains that she never executed a trade without Thomson’s consent and always aimed to minimize losses. She has shared that her current financial struggles include working as an Uber driver, applying for food assistance, and managing the legal implications from both the collapse of the cryptocurrency and Thomson’s lawsuit.
Counter-lawsuit and Accusations
In a twist, Richardson has filed a countersuit for $10 million, utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT, claiming that Thomson’s allegations have defamed her character. Thomson’s representatives have dismissed these claims, including an assertion by Richardson that the heiress made advances towards her during a trip in 2019. In one of their final exchanges, Richardson, reportedly struggling with sobriety, expressed deep frustration towards Thomson, accusing her of causing her downfall and imploring her to send mercenaries to take her life, underscoring the emotional turmoil stemming from their fractured relationship.
