Heiress Sues Former Friend Over Failed Crypto Investment
A prominent heiress from one of Canada’s wealthiest families has initiated legal action against her former best friend, who now finds herself in dire financial straits as an Uber driver. The lawsuit stems from a disastrous cryptocurrency investment allegedly influenced by the counsel of two psychics, which reportedly resulted in an $80 million loss. Taylor Thomson, 66, the middle child of the billionaire Thomson family, and Ashley Richardson, 47, a once-prosperous California mother, were inseparable friends who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle together in Los Angeles since their first meeting at a Malibu party in 2009. However, their friendship deteriorated in 2022 when the crypto token they had invested in, based on psychic recommendations, plummeted in value within a year.
Friendship Turned Sour Amid Financial Ruin
Thomson has accused Richardson of executing numerous high-risk trades without her consent, claiming that Richardson was primarily interested in her wealth. In response, Richardson has vehemently denied these accusations, attributing the collapse of their friendship to Thomson’s alleged pursuit of her own interests, including a past romantic advance towards her. In a poignant message to Thomson, Richardson expressed her devastation, stating, “Because of you I have lost everything, and you decided to sue the person who had nothing left to lose. I loved you more than anything.”
Years of Support and Trust Erode
During their more than 12-year friendship, Richardson was a steadfast ally for Thomson, even assisting in relocating Thomson’s cherished chickens from Bel Air to Hollywood, as evidenced by their exchanged messages. Friends have indicated that Thomson, whose family is among the world’s wealthiest, struggled with trust and could exhibit aggressive behavior towards those she suspected of wanting to exploit her financial resources. Reports indicate that she once hired a private investigator to surveil a former nanny during a contentious custody dispute, reflecting her deep-seated concerns over loyalty and betrayal.
Influence of Psychics and Investment Decisions
Despite Thomson’s alleged vindictiveness, Richardson maintained her support, attempting to shield her friend from perceived threats to her fortune. However, following their unsuccessful crypto investment, Richardson found herself labeled as one of those alleged “Takers.” After the pandemic, Richardson became captivated by the predictions of a celebrity psychic, Michelle Whitedove, who encouraged followers to invest in the emerging Persistence cryptocurrency. Intrigued by the token, Richardson brought the idea to Thomson, who subsequently sought counsel from her own psychic, Robert Sabella. Although Thomson’s spokesperson clarified that she valued her instincts over Sabella’s advice, she did engage in substantial investments following these discussions.
Heavy Investments and Subsequent Fallout
After receiving encouragement from Sabella, the two friends made significant investments in Persistence, with Richardson contributing most of her savings and Thomson investing over $40 million. Richardson asserts that Thomson’s enthusiasm led her to suggest further investments, even after early successes. Thomson reportedly sent a letter to her brothers, who control a significant portion of the family wealth, alleging they hindered her ability to invest in the cryptocurrency market. During this trading phase, Richardson claimed to have dedicated as much as 20 hours a day to researching cryptocurrencies and executing trades on Thomson’s behalf, at one point managing investments worth up to $140 million.
Legal Battles Following Market Collapse
In the aftermath of the 2022 crypto market crash, Richardson faced total financial loss, while Thomson felt betrayed and pursued legal avenues to recover her funds. Thomson filed a lawsuit against both Richardson and Persistence in 2023, seeking no less than $25 million for their alleged involvement in what she describes as a targeted investment scheme. Thomson and Persistence ultimately reached a confidential settlement, but Richardson continues to contest Thomson’s claims in court.
Disputes Over Trading Practices and Financial Struggles
Bradley Dizik, president of a consulting firm, revealed that Richardson executed a staggering 450,000 trades with Thomson’s funds in the first half of 2022, many of which were unauthorized and deemed highly speculative. He claims that Thomson’s losses in crypto investments linked to Richardson exceeded $80 million. In contrast, Richardson maintains that every trade was conducted with Thomson’s approval and insists that her aim was always to minimize financial losses. She has since taken on a job as an Uber driver, applied for food assistance, and is struggling with both her legal battles and personal responsibilities.
Counterclaims and Escalating Tensions
In a turn of events, Richardson has filed a countersuit for $10 million, utilizing assistance from ChatGPT, alleging that Thomson has defamed her through her accusations. Thomson’s representatives have dismissed these claims, including one in which Richardson alleged that the heiress made an inappropriate advance towards her during a trip in 2019. Their final exchanges via text messages reportedly turned hostile, with Richardson calling Thomson a “rich motherf—ing sociopathic b—” and expressing her anguish over the situation, proclaiming, “Send your f—ing goons to take my life. Please, you have destroyed me.”
