Andy Rubin, co founder of Android and former employee of Google, is on a leave of absence from his startup, Essential Products, according to a statement made by the company Yesterday. Unfortunately for Rubin the news coincided with a report stating that he left Google on account of a prior investigation into his behaviour.
Essential spokesperson Shari Doherty did not specify the reason or the duration of Rubin’s leave of absence from the company. Further, Essential employees were informed about Rubin’s leave of absence only on Monday. This pattern seems to be a common factor for Rubin wherever he goes.
Rubin left Google in 2014 following an inquiry into rumors which suggested he had an inappropriate relationship with a female subordinate. A human resources complaint by the woman prompted Google’s swift action, which resulted in Rubin’s exit from the company.
Rubin’s decision comes under severe scrutiny of impropriety and misconduct in the field of technology, entertainment, politics and several related industries. This year, several venture capitalists and entrepreneurs have either taken leaves of absence or stepped down as a result of accusations of inappropriate behavior.
Michael Sitrick, a spokesman for Rubin said, “Any relationship that Rubin had while at Google was consensual and did not involve any person who reported to him. Rubin was never told by Google that he engaged in any misconduct while at Google and he did not, either while (at) Google or since.”
Rubin joined Google in 2005 and was very quickly put in charge of a nascent robotics effort, but he left the year after to start his own venture company. He later established a smartphone company called Essential Products, which has raised $ 330 million in funding from Access Technology Ventures, Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Amazon.com Inc.