Eric Schmidt Sued by Ex-Girlfriend Over Alleged Abuse

Michelle Ritter, the former girlfriend of ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt, has filed a lawsuit accusing Schmidt of stalking, abuse, and exerting excessive control over her life. According to court documents obtained by the New York Post, Ritter claims Schmidt subjected her to intense digital surveillance amid disputes over money, a failed AI startup, and access to his Bel Air mansion.

Ritter, 39 years younger than Schmidt, alleges that Schmidt used his power to block her from accessing data, devices, finances, and businesses. She filed a temporary restraining order against Schmidt, 70, who has been in an open marriage with Wendy Schmidt for 45 years. Ritter’s filing also claims that Schmidt pressured her to sign a gag order regarding sexual assault or harassment allegations, though she did not provide further details in the unredacted court documents.

The lawsuit stems from financial disagreements and conflicts over her AI startup, Steel Perlot, which had received $100 million in funding from Schmidt. Ritter alleges Schmidt locked her out of the company and attempted to control her professional and personal life. She also claimed that private investigators followed her parents, demonstrating the extent of Schmidt’s influence and power, according to court filings.

Schmidt’s legal team has strongly denied the allegations. In an 82-page response filed on October 8, Schmidt’s lawyers described Ritter’s claims as “demonstrably false” and “a blatant abuse of the judicial system.” Most of the response remains redacted ahead of a scheduled court hearing on December 4, 2025, in Los Angeles. The legal team, led by Patricia Glaser, has requested that the court seal the documents, but a decision is still pending.

Ritter’s court filings also highlight her personal situation at Schmidt’s $61 million Bel Air mansion, where she requested exclusive access and protection for her dog, Henry, a German Shepherd. She alleges Schmidt has not fulfilled his obligations under prior settlement agreements, forcing her to pay a $75,000 arbitration fee while Schmidt allegedly tries to "win by economic and resource attrition."

The lawsuit has drawn widespread attention due to Schmidt’s high-profile status as the former Google CEO and his history of dating younger women in Silicon Valley. Schmidt, who led Google from 2001 to 2017, is known for his transformation of the company into a tech giant under founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. Ritter’s allegations add a new chapter to the public scrutiny surrounding Schmidt’s personal life and relationships.

The upcoming December 4 court hearing will be closely watched as Ritter’s claims of stalking, abuse, and financial manipulation are examined in a high-profile legal battle involving one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent figures. The case has global resonance, highlighting issues of power dynamics, digital surveillance, and accountability among elite tech executives.