Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Meta Platforms, used her influence to bury two stories about her then-boyfriend, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotik, according to Bombshell. report from The Wall Street Journal.
The The Wall Street Journal Reports indicate that in 2016 and again in 2019, Sandberg called MailOnlineUK’s online footprint daily Mail The tabloid, in an attempt to prevent the outlet from reporting a restraining order filed against Kotick by his ex-girlfriend. On both occasions, the story didn’t work. Now, Facebook is investigating the issue to see if Sandberg violated company policy.
According to sources in The Wall Street Journal In the report, Kotick said Sandberg threatened mail In 2016, it was reported that any article published about the injunction could harm the post’s relationship with Facebook. Kotick denied this, telling magazine“I’ve never said anything like that.”
In 2019, when mail Once again looking to publish a story about the incident, he sent an email to the Chairman mailThe parent company, which it referred to the magazine’s then editor-in-chief, Martin Clark, according to The Wall Street Journal story. The two exchanged emails, and again, the story didn’t work out. It is important to note that according to magazinethe sources in mail Those who have been in contact with Sandberg said they did not feel threatened.
Sandberg is best known as an advocate for women’s rights in the workplace, having authored a book in 2013 recline and founding LeanIn.org A non-profit organization. But Bobby Kotik’s reputation was severely damaged in the wake of the accusations against him Cover up or ignore workplace harassment In the heart.. or in the middle Multiple lawsuits against his company, Activision Blizzard. In court documents relating to the injunction, The Wall Street Journal Reports that Kotick showed up uninvited to his then-girlfriend’s house in March 2014 and tried to get in after she told him that their relationship ended due to his “domestic and controlling nature”.
In a statement to magazine, A Meta spokeswoman said, “Sheryl Sandberg has never threatened MailOnline’s business relationship with Facebook in order to influence an editorial decision.”
In a statement emailed to the edgeMeta spokeswoman Caroline Nola reiterated the company’s statement to The Wall Street Journal“This story is trying to create links that don’t exist,” he added.
Update April 21 12:50 PM: Added statement from META
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