Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt Faces Serious Allegations of Abuse

The ex-mistress of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has made serious allegations against him, claiming he raped her and conducted invasive surveillance. In a 70-page court filing submitted to the Los Angeles County Superior Court last week, Michelle Ritter, a 31-year-old tech entrepreneur, detailed instances of sexual battery, harassment, domestic violence, and breaches of computer hacking and wiretapping laws. The accusations have drawn significant attention, highlighting the complexities of personal relationships intertwined with high-stakes business dealings in Silicon Valley.

The allegations stem from a relationship that began in September 2020, during which Schmidt and Ritter co-founded Steel Perlot, a startup incubator. The partnership, however, soured, culminating in claims of abuse and corporate betrayal. In her filing, Ritter describes an incident on a yacht in November 2021, alleging, “He followed me into a shower, slammed me against the wall, and forcibly raped me. I begged him to stop and cried out that he was hurting me, but he ignored my pleas.”

Ritter further alleges that during the Burning Man festival in August 2023, Schmidt initiated sexual activity while she was asleep, despite her clear refusals. She stated, “I clearly told him ‘no’ and tried to get him to stop, but I had learned that attempting to resist physically would be futile and make things worse.”

The accusations extend to unwanted voyeurism, with Ritter claiming that Schmidt secretly photographed her while she was nude and pressured her into sexual acts against her will. She described multiple instances of physical abuse, including being shoved and left with bruises and scratches. In one notable incident in New York, she alleges Schmidt pushed her into a desk. Ritter characterized Schmidt as “erratic,” recounting occasions where he exposed himself to flight crew members on his private jet and transported marijuana onboard.

Ritter, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a JD/MBA from Columbia University, first met Schmidt through a business contact while pitching her company, StarX Networks. Together, they launched Steel Perlot, which has supported various startups, including Keeta, a payment network valued at approximately $161 million.

The relationship took a turn following the emergence of photographs in early 2024 that showed Schmidt with a 22-year-old woman. After their breakup, Ritter alleges the surveillance intensified. She claims that Schmidt installed spyware on her computer in November 2021, granting him access to her emails, texts, and documents. She reported instances where she witnessed emails being deleted or altered as if someone else was controlling her device.

In addition to the allegations of personal misconduct, Ritter claims Schmidt engaged in financial manipulations related to their business dealings. She alleges he invested $100 million into Steel Perlot but burdened the company with debt through questionable accounting practices. Furthermore, she asserts that Schmidt forged her signature on documents, fabricated texts on her phone, and locked her out of their shared residence, leaving her belongings inside.

The escalating tensions have also led to claims of stalking, with Ritter alleging that private investigators followed her family members, admitting to police that they worked for a “billionaire’s private security detail.” In a particularly alarming incident, Ritter claims that on November 7, 2024, while dining at Nobu in Malibu, Schmidt broke into her Tesla and stole her laptop, an act captured on CCTV.

Ritter initially filed for a temporary restraining order in December but later withdrew some claims, saying she felt pressured by Schmidt’s legal team. The case has seen multiple legal maneuvers, beginning in September with sealed filings. The latest amendment, reported by the Daily Mail, aims to make the allegations public under a 2021 law against arbitrating sexual abuse claims. Schmidt’s legal team argues that the law does not apply retroactively.

In response to the allegations, Schmidt has characterized Ritter’s claims as “false and defamatory.” His attorney, Patricia Glaser, has stated, “We are confident that we will prevail on both this specific legal issue and disproving these pathetic, false and defamatory statements.”

The unfolding legal battle underscores the complexities of personal relationships within the high-stakes tech industry, raising questions about consent, power dynamics, and accountability. As the case develops, it highlights the need for transparency in both personal and professional spheres.