Microsoft Corp. investigated the relationship between co-founder Bill Gates and an employee, which happened nearly two decades ago. The company was told in 2019 of his attempt to establish a romantic relationship with the person.

Microsoft said the board reviewed the matter and conducted a “thorough investigation” with the help of an external law firm. Microsoft said that because Gates had stepped down before completing the investigation, the investigation has not yet reached a conclusion.

Microsoft said in a statement: “Microsoft received concerns about Bill Gates’ attempts to establish close relationships with company employees in the second half of 2019,” Microsoft said in a statement. “A committee of the board of directors, with the assistance of an external law firm, reviewed the issue for a thorough investigation. Throughout the investigation, Microsoft provided extensive support to employees who raised concerns.”

Dow Jones had earlier reported that Microsoft’s directors believed that Gates’ involvement with female employees was inappropriate, and last year decided to resign on the grounds of persons suspected of being familiar with the matter.

Microsoft did not provide more details about the investigation.

The billionaire said in March last year that he would resign from the board of directors and spend more time on charity. Microsoft said at the time that since 2008, Gates has not been active in daily work. Gates co-founded the software company in 1975 and served as CEO in 2000 until the same year he founded the foundation, and served as chairman until February 2014.

“Affair”

A Gates spokeswoman said that his decision to leave the board had nothing to do with the romantic involvement of an employee.

She said: “One thing ended in a friendly way about 20 years ago,” he added, “His decision to withdraw from the board has nothing to do with this issue.”

Microsoft conducted a belated investigation on the matter, when Microsoft was discussing how to treat women and the Me-Too conversations in the wider industry. The company said that since 2000, Microsoft has also developed procedures for investigating allegations and has made comprehensive changes to them in order to make the allegations more adequate.

After Intel’s chief executive Brian Krzanich resigned, the board of directors learned that he and his subordinates had reached a consensus, although the relationship had ended several years ago and he was appointed to the company’s top position earlier . The board of directors conducted investigations internally and through external consultants to confirm violations of company policy, and issued an announcement in June 2018.

Gates and Melinda France Gates announced their divorce at the beginning of this month after 27 years of marriage. Several reports, including reports released over the weekend, stated that she raised concerns about his dealings with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The New York Times reported in 2019 that Gates had met Epstein several times and had stayed late in a New York townhouse. Epstein died in prison two months ago on federal charges related to sex trafficking.

A Gates spokeswoman denied these reports. She said, “The characteristics of his meetings with Epstein and others about philanthropy are inaccurate.” “The rumors and speculation surrounding Gates’ divorce are becoming more and more absurd.”

A person familiar with the matter said that although the transaction between Gates and Epstein is not part of the scope of Microsoft’s investigation, some board members have discussed the matter, and the person asked not to be named because the information is not public.

Stock transfer

The spin-off also brought Gates’ wealth and Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index (Bloomberg Billionaires Index) valued at approximately $144 billion, becoming the focus of attention.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest foundation in the world. Since its establishment, it has more than 1,600 employees and offices around the world, and has allocated more than 50 billion US dollars since its establishment for vaccine development and women’s empowerment.

Last week, Cascade Investment, an investment company founded by Gates, transferred the shares of Deere & Co. to his wife, bringing the total amount she received since they announced the divorce to more than $3 billion.

According to regulatory documents, the investment vehicle transferred approximately 2.25 million shares, valued at approximately US$851 million. Prior to this, Mexican companies Coca-Cola Femsa and Grupo Televisa also made similar disclosures, and disclosed approximately $1.8 billion in shares of Canadian National Railways and AutoNation.