Microsoft execs reportedly warned Bill Gates years in the past to cease emailing a feminine worker

Over 10 years earlier than his departure from Microsoft’s board amid an investigation over an affair with an worker, former CEO Bill Gates was warned by two firm executives about inappropriate emails between him and one other lady, The Wall Street Journal reported.

While he was nonetheless an worker at Microsoft and serving as chairman of the board, Gates and a feminine worker exchanged “flirtatious” emails and propositioned the worker, the Journal reported. He was married on the time. When confronted by two firm executives, Gates reportedly didn’t deny the exchanges and mentioned he would cease the interplay. The executives knowledgeable some members of Microsoft’s board, however the board finally determined that since there was no bodily interplay between the girl and Gates, no additional motion was crucial.

In response to a request for remark from The Verge, a spokesperson for Microsoft confirmed the accuracy of the Journal report however supplied no additional remark. But firm spokesperson Frank Shaw advised the Journal that in 2008, the corporate was made conscious of the e-mail alternate, which occurred in 2007. The worker didn’t make a criticism concerning the incident, Shaw advised the Journal. He described the emails as “flirtatious” however “not overtly sexual” and mentioned Gates had mentioned assembly the worker exterior of labor.

A spokesperson for Gates offered a press release to The Verge that differs from the corporate’s account (and is similar as a remark offered to the Journal): “These claims are false, recycled rumors from sources who have no direct knowledge, and in some cases have significant conflicts of interest.”

In 2019, a few of Microsoft’s board members instructed that Gates ought to step down as an investigation about an alleged affair with an worker was being carried out. Gates resigned from the board in March 2020, earlier than the investigation was accomplished. The worker reportedly wrote in a letter to the board that she had a years-long sexual relationship with Gates. He and Melinda French Gates, who have been married for 27 years, finalized their divorce in August.