A Los Angeles judge has pushed most of the bombshell lawsuit accusing former Google CEO #Eric #Schmidt of sexual assault, spying, and business theft
out of public view and into private arbitration,
giving Schmidt an early procedural win
while keeping the ugliest allegations off the public docket for now.
Instead of unfolding in open court, key claims,
including accusations of rape and alleged unauthorized access to Google accounts,
will now be fought in a confidential forum where filings and testimony are typically shielded from public scrutiny.
Superior Court Judge Michael Small ruled that a federal law aimed at limiting forced arbitration in sexual assault and harassment disputes does not apply to plaintiff Michelle Ritter’s case.
He found that Ritter and Schmidt signed a settlement and arbitration agreement in December 2024, after the alleged misconduct,
and that this agreement controls how most of the dispute will proceed.
Judge Small granted Schmidt’s motion to compel arbitration and put the civil case on hold, according to the Los Angeles Times.
https://hoodline.com/2026/03/la-judge-kicks-eric-schmidt-sex-assault-showdown-behind-closed-doors/