Eric Schmidt’s ex-partner accuses ex-Google CEO of stalking, abuse, digital surveillance: Report

Eric Schmidt, the former Google CEO, is facing serious allegations from his 31-year-old ex-girlfriend, Michelle Ritter, who has accused him of stalking, abuse, and using his technical expertise to keep her under an absolute digital surveillance system.

According to the New York Post, citing court filings, the dispute has spiralled into legal action involving claims of harassment, financial disagreements, and a failed artificial intelligence startup.

Michelle Ritter, who reportedly had an on-and-off relationship with Schmidt while he remained married to his wife Wendy, filed for a temporary restraining order against the 70-year-old billionaire late last year. She alleged that Schmidt used his power, influence, and technology to monitor her private communications and restrict her access to business and financial resources.

“Please note Eric’s technical background,” Ritter wrote in her filing. “I literally cannot have a private phone call or send a private email without surveillance.”

The NY Post reported that the two reached a written settlement agreement in early December, under which Schmidt was required to make “substantial payments” to Ritter. The details of this deal, however, remain sealed. A week later, Ritter filed a domestic violence restraining order, but withdrew it three weeks later after both parties appeared to reach another agreement.

Ritter alleged that he had locked her out of the website of her AI startup, Steel Perlot, a firm Schmidt had invested $100 million in. She further claimed that Schmidt had demanded she agree to a gag order regarding any sexual assault or harassment allegations and sign a false statement denying such incidents ever occurred.

In an 82-page legal response filed in October, Schmidt’s lawyers dismissed Ritter’s complaint as demonstrably false. His legal team, led by Los Angeles attorney Patricia Glaser, has filed a motion to seal much of the court material. The court is expected to hold a hearing on the matter in December.

Court documents also show that Ritter had been living at Schmidt’s 15,000-square-foot Bel Air mansion, purchased for $61 million from the Hilton family. In her filing, she requested exclusive access to the property and protection for her dog, a German Shepherd named Henry.

MILLION-DOLLAR MANSION

According to The Information, Ritter remained at the Bel Air estate as of August 2024. The luxurious 13-bedroom mansion, featuring classic Hollywood architecture, included her personal touches such as a red lip-shaped sofa, a guitar display case, and a rainbow-coloured “Love” sign that once accompanied the couple to Burning Man.

A final hearing in the Los Angeles County Superior Court is expected in December.

– Ends