Microsoft has confirmed it had to have an intervention with co-founder Bill Gates in 2008 over controversial emails he allegedly sent to a female employee.
The Wall Street Journal reported the company's then general counsel, Brad Smith, and another executive organised a meeting with the billionaire to discuss the messages to the 'midlevel' staff member.
Gates reportedly didn't deny the 'inappropriate' emails had been sent to the woman however he admitted that, in hindsight, it probably wasn't the best conduct.
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The Microsoft board allegedly didn't take the matter further because they said Gates and the employee didn't have any physical contact.
The company has since confirmed what The Wall Street Journal has reported to The Associated Press.
Bill Gates has hit back against the allegations and claims nothing of the sort happened.
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A statement from his private office said: "These claims are false, recycled rumours from sources who have no direct knowledge, and some in cases have significant conflicts of interest."
The alleged inappropriate emails came nearly a decade after a separate incident between Bill Gates and another female employee.
A spokesperson for the billionaire said back in May this year that there was an affair between the two individuals and that it ended 'amicably'.
"There was an affair almost 20 years ago. Bill's decision to transition off the board was in no way related to this matter," the spokesperson said.
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"In fact, he had expressed an interest in spending more time on his philanthropy starting several years earlier."
Microsoft said it launched a 'thorough investigation' into what happened.
A spokesperson said: "Microsoft received a concern in the latter half of 2019 that Bill Gates sought to initiate an intimate relationship with a company employee in the year 2000.
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"A committee of the board reviewed the concern, aided by an outside law firm, to conduct a thorough investigation.
"Throughout the investigation, Microsoft provided extensive support to the employee who raised the concern."
Bill and his now former wife Melinda announced earlier this year that they were getting a divorce after 27 years of marriage.
He said they were headed in separate directions in life however they remain committed to their work at the Bill and Melina Gates Foundation.
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Bill was asked in August about his thoughts on the affair.
The 65-year-old told CNN's Anderson Cooper: "Certainly, I think everyone does [have regrets]. But it's a time of reflection and at this point I need to go forward. My work is very important to me.
"Within the family we'll heal as best we can and learn from what happened."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: News, Microsoft, bill gates