Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and tech entrepreneur Michelle Ritter are locked in a bitter legal dispute that has spilled into public court documents.
Ritter, 31, has accused Schmidt, 70, of sexual assault, harassment, and corporate misconduct, claims he vehemently denies, calling them “fabricated” and “defamatory.”
Ritter Alleges Abuse and Exploitation
In filings obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail, Ritter portrays Schmidt as a manipulative and controlling figure.
She claims he sexually assaulted her multiple times, including incidents on a yacht in 2021 and during the Burning Man festival in 2023.
Ritter also alleges he spied on her with hidden cameras, coerced her into sexual acts against her will, and publicly demeaned her in front of colleagues.
Her legal documents further detail alleged intimidation, shoving incidents leaving bruises, and verbal abuse.
Ritter says Schmidt also pressured her to maintain a certain appearance for meetings and even to use prescription stimulants to lose weight.
Accusations of Corporate Misconduct
Beyond the personal allegations, Ritter accuses Schmidt of leveraging their joint business ventures for personal gain.
She claims he stole her companies and intellectual property, manipulated documents with her forged signature, and used a startup incubator they founded, Steel Perlot, to shift debt and profits unfairly.
Ritter alleges she was ultimately stripped of control of companies she helped build, including the payment network Keeta, valued at $161 million.
Ritter also claims Schmidt installed spyware on her devices, giving him access to emails, files, and text messages.
According to her filings, this digital surveillance extended beyond her, exploiting his “backdoor” access to Google servers.
Schmidt Denies Allegations
Schmidt’s legal team has responded forcefully, describing Ritter’s claims as false, opportunistic, and designed to extract leverage in business negotiations.
His lawyers argue that Ritter previously denied these allegations under oath and that she is using the court to evade the terms of a confidential settlement.
Schmidt also points to texts and evidence that he says disprove her accusations.
His filings suggest Ritter mismanaged their joint company, withheld agreed-upon property, and attempted to manipulate media coverage.
Schmidt’s representatives characterize the lawsuit as a “final Hail Mary” in a private dispute.
Timeline of Their Relationship
According to Ritter, she met Schmidt in 2020 while pitching her startup StarX Networks.
At the time, she was 26 and a Columbia graduate student, while Schmidt, then 65, was retired from Google and married.
Ritter alleges he presented himself as a mentor and investor before pursuing a romantic relationship, assuring her his divorce was imminent.
The pair reportedly moved in together in 2021, planned a family, and collaborated on multiple business ventures.
Ritter claims the relationship deteriorated when Schmidt began coercive behavior, leading her to leave after discovering him with a 22-year-old woman in 2024.
Courtroom Drama and Arbitration
Ritter’s initial lawsuit in September was largely sealed, but a 70-page filing last Wednesday revealed her full allegations.
The case has been complicated by a private arbitration agreement meant to separate their business dealings.
Ritter argues that a 2021 law preventing gag orders for sexual abuse claims applies, allowing her to pursue the case publicly.
Meanwhile, Schmidt’s lawyers contend the law doesn’t apply retroactively and maintain that Ritter’s claims are part of a calculated attempt to extort him.
Both sides have submitted extensive evidence, and the dispute shows no sign of slowing.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The highly publicized filings have drawn intense scrutiny, highlighting issues of sexual assault, corporate governance, and tech industry power dynamics.
Ritter and Schmidt remain in private arbitration, but the recent documents have fueled media coverage and debate over the billionaire’s alleged conduct.
The next chapter of this legal battle will likely continue to unfold in both the courtroom and arbitration proceedings, with both sides preparing to defend their version of events.
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