Michell Ritter (31), a 2021 Columbia Law School grad, founded AI-focused startup Steel Perlot with a $100 million investment from Google’s former CEO Eric Schmidt (71) while he was in an extramarital relationship with the woman in 2021. Reportedly, they ended their affair in May 2024. She filed a restraining order against the billionaire, alleging abuse, surveillance, stalking, and toxic masculinity.

On December 6, 2024, she filed a domestic violence restraining order, which she later withdrew on January 11, 2025.

Ritter alleged in the filing. “Please note Eric’s technical background.” She added, “I literally cannot have a private phone call or send a private email without surveillance.”

Also in her complaint, Ritter claimed that Schmidt demanded that she agree to “a gag order on any sexual assault or harassment allegations and sign a knowingly false declaration that any such allegations never happened.”

Ritter further alleged, “Unfortunately, my former partner is extraordinarily powerful and capable and has used every means[s] to block me from getting access to secure data, devices, finances, or businesses, or to simply live my life in peace.”

Two days before the December filing, Ritter’s parents allegedly were followed to and from dinner at an LA restaurant by a couple of private investigators. When cops were called, one of the PIs admitted to working for a “billionaire’s private security detail.” He also stated that they are “not going to wake him up,” according to the filing.

In another filing, she requested protection of Henry, her German Shepherd doggo.

On Oct. 8, lawyers for Schmidt claimed in an 82-page response that “Michelle Ritter is “demonstrably false” and that “the complaint is a blatant abuse of the judicial system.”

Meanwhile, Ritter revoked the restraining order on January 6, 2025, but later claimed that Schmidt failed to honor the agreement.

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