Former Attorney General Eric Holder will lead an investigation at Uber regarding sexual harassment claims, the company announced in an internal email that was obtained by TheWrap.
Earlier this week, a former employee alleged she was sexually harassed while with company — and that Uber did nothing about it.
“What’s described here is abhorrent & against everything we believe in. Anyone who behaves this way or thinks this is OK will be fired,” Uber CEO Travis Kalanick declared on Twitter.
Uber did not respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Holder, who was AG under President Obama, now works at the law firm Covington and Burling. Kalanick said in a memo to employees on Monday that Holder and fellow partner Tammy Albarran would lead the review.
Uber’s general counsel, Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington and Uber human resources boss Liane Hornsey will also partake in the investigation.
“It’s been a tough 24 hours. I know the company is hurting, and understand everyone has been waiting for more information on where things stand and what actions we are going to take,” Kalanick told employees. “I expect them to conduct this review in short order.”
Holder, who was the first African American to hold the position of U.S. Attorney General, is no stranger to representing major corporations. Among many high-profile cases, he represented the National Football League during its dog fighting investigation surrounding Michael Vick.
Kalanick’s email concluded: “I believe in creating a workplace where a deep sense of justice underpins everything we do. Every Uber employee should be proud of the culture we have and what we will build together over time. What is driving me through all this is a determination that we take what’s happened as an opportunity to heal wounds of the past and set a new standard for justice in the workplace. It is my number one priority that we come through this a better organization, where we live our values and fight for and support those who experience injustice.”