It's common to have this sentiment, but it doesn't actually put anything in a different light, anymore than the fact that you're getting a salary of (say) $150,000/year makes your landord stealing your $5,000 deposit "in a different light". (If it looks completely unrelated to you, think about the deposit story from the point of view of someone who lives on $20/day).
I have not read the complaint, and have no knowledge of this case. But when you've been treated unfairly (in the legal sense), it is your right to seek compensation for that through the courts, and the fact that other agreements were honored (and put him in a good financial position) should not put anything in "a different light".
Absolutely - I'm not saying he shouldn't take action if he thinks he's entitled to that compensation. But I think most people coming to this thread with just the news article will be reading it more as "twilio acquired and fired so they could claw back promised equity" rather than "head of acquired company thinks twilio made it hard for him to hit revenue goals, affecting 1/6 of his equity compensation."
I have not read the complaint, and have no knowledge of this case. But when you've been treated unfairly (in the legal sense), it is your right to seek compensation for that through the courts, and the fact that other agreements were honored (and put him in a good financial position) should not put anything in "a different light".