Decoding the Michelle Ritter Eric Schmidt Lawsuit
In a significant legal filing that shines a light on the intersection of wealth, power, and personal disputes in the tech world, Michelle Ritter, 31, has lodged serious accusations against her former partner, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, 70.
The claims, submitted in Los Angeles County Superior Court late last year and recently highlighted in a report by The New York Post, detail allegations of stalking, abuse, and the promotion of “toxic masculinity.”
The multi-faceted dispute is not just personal; it is a complex legal and financial entanglement involving a failed AI startup, a sealed settlement agreement, and a competition for access to a Bel Air mansion.
Allegations of ‘Absolute Digital Surveillance’
At the core of Ritter’s court filings is the allegation that Schmidt subjected her to a pervasive “absolute digital surveillance system.” Leveraging his deep technical background, the billionaire allegedly kept Ritter under “relentless digital surveillance,” which she claimed made it impossible to have a private call or email.
“Please note Eric’s technical background,” Ritter wrote in one filing. “I literally cannot have a private phone call or send a private email without surveillance.”
Ritter also claimed that Schmidt, whose net worth is estimated at $44.8 billion, had pressured her to sign a “gag order on any sexual assault or harassment allegations” and a “knowingly false declaration that any such allegations never happened.” The filings suggest a pattern of using his power and technical expertise to impose a “system of total control.”
The Battle for Steel Perlot and the Bel Air Mansion
The personal relationship between Schmidt and Ritter, a 2021 Columbia Law School graduate and tech entrepreneur, was intertwined with their professional venture, the AI-focused firm Steel Perlot. Schmidt had reportedly invested a significant $100 million into the startup.
Ritter alleges that Schmidt subsequently locked her out of the startup’s website. The legal fight also encompasses access to Schmidt’s luxurious 15,000-square-foot Bel Air mansion, which he purchased for $61 million. Ritter, who had been living at the residence, requested exclusive access to the property and protection for her German Shepherd. The dispute also involves her loss of access to shared assets and residences in New York, Miami, and Aspen.
The legal and operational troubles surrounding Steel Perlot, where Ritter is the founder and CEO and Schmidt is the Chairman, have also been detailed in media reports, suggesting internal chaos despite the massive investment.
Restraining Orders and Sealed Settlements
The legal back-and-forth has been characterized by temporary agreements and renewed hostilities:
- Initial Settlement: In December (late last year), the two sides reached a “written settlement agreement” mandating Schmidt make “substantial payments” to Ritter, though the specifics remain under seal. This agreement was disclosed in a September 8 filing.
- Restraining Orders: Just a week after the initial agreement, Ritter filed a domestic violence restraining order against the tech executive on December 11. She subsequently withdrew this order three weeks later, on January 6, after the parties reportedly reached a new agreement.
- Arbitration: Despite the initial settlement and the withdrawal of the restraining order, Ritter’s filings claim Schmidt failed to fulfill all of his obligations and is attempting to pursue the matter through costly arbitration—a move she views as an attempt to “suppress exposure of his misconduct and abuse.” She has also alleged her parents were followed by private investigators.
Schmidt’s Defense: A ‘Blatant Abuse’ of the System
In response to the allegations, Schmidt’s legal team filed an 82-page response in October, vehemently denying the claims. His lawyers described Ritter’s complaint as “demonstrably false” and a “blatant abuse of the judicial system.”
Led by hard-charging litigator Patricia Glaser, Schmidt’s team has filed a motion to seal much of the court material ahead of a final court hearing, which is expected to take place in December.
The ongoing legal dispute throws a spotlight on the private lives of the tech elite, where immense wealth and influence can create deeply complex personal and business entanglements.
