Andy Rubin takes leave of absence amid Google controversy

Andy Rubin, the founder and CEO of Essential has taken a leave of absence from the company following a report from The Information stating that he had an inappropriate relationship with a former colleague at Google.

The report says that Rubin left Google after a woman made a complaint to HR detailing her relationship with the executive. The employee was said to be working for the company’s Android division while Rubin was still in charge — a relationship prohibited by Google’s rulebook. According to The Information, Google's internal investigation claimed Rubin's behavior was "improper and showed bad judgment."

Rubin's spokesman, however called the relationship "consensual" and added, “Mr. 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.” However, there are no details on the nature of the relationship shared by Rubin with the woman.

A spokesperson for Essential told Mashable that the board has agreed to Rubin's leave of absence while president Niccolo de Masi will continue to run the day to day operations at Essential.