This community has been relying on the funds inside of steemit inc accounts for four years to onboard users and develop the ecosystem.

Keep in mind the result - it didn't succeed in bringing a sufficient number of people to the platform

an exit scam by Ned

How is it a scam?
Ned invested his knowledge, time and money to create something.
Now he is cashing out and starting something new, what's wrong with that?
Have you ever break up with a girl?
Why do you act like a melodramatic one? :D

you've unfortunately purchased something like property with liens or stolen goods

He did not.
What you, unreasonable people are doing, is screaming at a new user that the old one was owing something to you.

Steem is left without a development fund

With the fund... It's... Still... A stupid beta...

attempt to flee with developer funds meant for steem investors

No, he is not Utopian to do that :D