Google reportedly gave Android creator $90 million exit deal despite 'credible' sexual misconduct allegation
When Google found a sexual misconduct allegation against the creator of Android to be credible, he was still allowed to resign with a $90 million exit deal, according to a new report.
Andy Rubin was accused of coercing a Google employee he was having an affair with into performing oral sex on him in 2013, The New York Times reported Thursday, prompting the tech company to launch an investigation. They found the woman's claim to be credible, but instead of firing Rubin, Google asked for his resignation and gave him a $90 million exit package that was paid to him in monthly $2 million installments over the course of the past four years.
A spokesperson for Rubin disputed this report, denying the misconduct allegation and saying he left Google of his own volition. At the time, Google's then-CEO Larry Page wished Rubin the best in a statement, and it was not disclosed that he was leaving due to a misconduct allegation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In addition, Rubin allegedly insulted employees as being "stupid" or "incompetent," was once found to have sexually graphic videos on his work computer, and allegedly had affairs with numerous women at the company without reporting the relationships to human resources, the Times reports.
The report also goes into detail about other instances in which Google swept alleged misconduct under the rug, such as when a senior vice president, Amit Singhal, was accused of groping and was not fired despite Google finding the claim credible. Singhal, who denied the allegation, was instead also allowed to resign with an exit package worth millions of dollars.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Magazine interactive crossword - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published