MS Conducted Internal Investigation Regarding Inappropriate Relationship Between Bill Gates and Female Employee (Update)

Bill Gates Resigns from Board Just Before Investigation Concludes

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] It has been revealed that early last year, the Microsoft (MS) board of directors demanded Bill Gates, the founder of MS, to resign from his director position over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a female employee within the company.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 16th (local time), at the end of 2019, a female employee at MS reported to the company that she had an inappropriate relationship with Gates for several years, prompting the board to conduct an internal investigation. It was reported that the board intended to request Gates' resignation as the investigation was nearing completion.

Gates voluntarily resigned from his MS director position in March of last year, just before the internal investigation concluded. At the time, he stated that the reason for his resignation was "to focus more on philanthropic activities."

An MS spokesperson said, "After receiving a report from an internal employee regarding an inappropriate relationship with Gates, we hired an external law firm to conduct an independent investigation."

On the other hand, Gates' side denied the allegations, stating, "There was indeed an extramarital affair with the female employee in 2000, but the relationship ended immediately thereafter," and added, "Gates' resignation from the director position has nothing to do with this issue."

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