Alphabet executive named in NYT sexual misconduct exposé resigns

An executive at Google parent company Alphabet’s X division has resigned after being named in a high-profile New York Times investigation into the company’s mishandling of sexual harassment claims, according to Axios. The executive, Rich DeVaul, held the title of “Director of Rapid Evaluation and Mad Science” at X, formerly known as Google X and the division responsible for Alphabet’s experimental “moonshots” projects like self-driving car unit Waymo and the Google Glass wearable headset. He did not receive an exit package of any sort, Axios reports. read more »

How #MeToo is reshaping employment contracts for executives

Businesses have made all manner of changes to their practices since the Harvey Weinstein allegations of sexual misconduct exploded into public view a year ago, propelling the #MeToo movement and forcing many to wrestle more seriously with workplace sexual harassment. Companies have added more training. Investment banks and merger and acquisitions advisers have added “Weinstein clauses” or required a “#MeToo rep” during deal negotiations to help protect them from claims.

Employment lawyers and executive compensation experts say some companies have begun tweaking employment agreements with top executives, being more explicit about sexual harassment in the wording of severance arrangements or in their language about what constitutes “cause” for termination -- which can allow them to avoid paying severance or accelerating the vesting of stock when someone is shown the door. read more »

LAPD assistant chief was accused of improper sexual relationships before sudden retirement, officials say

A high-ranking Los Angeles Police Department official had been accused of having improper sexual relationships with officers under his command shortly before his sudden retirement last week, sources told The Times.

The allegations against Asst. Chief Jorge Villegas, a 29-year veteran of the department, were referred to LAPD Internal Affairs for an investigation earlier this month, according to three law enforcement and city officials with knowledge of the situation. read more »