A powerful man once at the top of the tech world is now facing serious allegations that raise new concerns about privacy, abuse of power, and national security. Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and a top donor to Democrat causes, has been accused of rape, stalking, and illegal surveillance by a former mistress, Michelle Ritter. Ritter, a 31-year-old tech entrepreneur, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court outlining years of abuse and control at the hands of Schmidt, who is now 70.
At first glance, this might seem like a personal scandal. But when we look closer, it reveals something more troubling: a man who ran one of the most powerful tech companies in the world is accused of using the tools and connections of Big Tech to monitor and control another person’s life. For Americans concerned about privacy, corruption, and the unchecked power of elites, this case should sound alarm bells.
Ritter’s filing accuses Schmidt of sexual assault on multiple occasions, including one on a yacht in 2021 and another while she was asleep at the Burning Man festival in 2023. She also describes physical abuse, mental manipulation, and disturbing surveillance practices. According to court records, Schmidt allegedly installed spyware on Ritter’s devices, accessed her private messages, and even admitted to having created a “backdoor” into Google’s systems to snoop on employees and others.
These are not just personal misdeeds. If true, they show how someone with deep ties to Silicon Valley and Washington power brokers could weaponize technology for personal gain. Schmidt isn’t just another rich executive—he was a key figure in shaping the internet as we know it, leading Google during its rise to global dominance. He has also spent years influencing U.S. policy, especially in areas like artificial intelligence and national defense.
In fact, Schmidt has held roles advising the Pentagon and other U.S. agencies on emerging tech. He chaired the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, helping shape the future of AI in warfare and surveillance. If the same man is now accused of using spyware to track a former lover, what does that say about how secure our national systems are? What kind of oversight exists for these so-called experts who are trusted with America’s most sensitive technologies?
Even more troubling is the political angle. Schmidt is a longtime Democrat mega-donor. He’s poured millions into left-wing causes and candidates, becoming a behind-the-scenes figure in shaping Big Tech’s relationship with the government. This raises real concerns about the cozy ties between powerful corporations, political elites, and government institutions. When men like Schmidt are accused of abuse and illegal surveillance, it’s not just a private matter—it’s a public one, especially when they’ve helped shape surveillance policy for the whole country.
Ritter’s lawsuit also details how Schmidt used complex financial tactics to push her out of their joint business ventures. He reportedly invested $100 million into a startup incubator they built together, only to later manipulate the books and strip her of her role. Combine that with the alleged secret recordings, tracking, and theft of her laptop, and we see a pattern: the abuse of wealth, power, and technology to dominate and silence someone less powerful.
Schmidt denies all the claims, and his legal team says the lawsuit is false and defamatory. But the details in the court documents are detailed and disturbing. And even if only some of these claims are true, the implications are far-reaching.
This case serves as a warning. America must not allow tech elites to operate above the law. We need stronger protections for individual privacy, stricter rules around surveillance tools, and greater accountability for those who have access to sensitive data. If a tech mogul can allegedly turn his knowledge of digital systems into a weapon against a private citizen, what’s stopping others from doing the same?
The American people deserve better. We must demand transparency and justice—not just in courtrooms, but in boardrooms and government offices, too. The rule of law must apply to everyone, even billionaires who once ran the world’s biggest tech company.