Explosive memoir details ex-Facebook COO Sandberg's spending spree, risqué work-trips
What's the story
Former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is facing scrutiny after revelations in a new memoir.
The book, "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism," by ex-Facebook employee Sarah Wynn-Williams exposes an extravagant lingerie shopping spree and an unusual relationship dynamic between Sandberg and her young female assistant during a European trip.
According to the memoir, Sandberg told Wynn-Williams to buy lingerie for each of them, regardless of the cost, with the final tab totaling $13,000.
Lingerie spree
Sandberg allegedly spent $13,000 on lingerie
One time, during a long drive through Europe, Wynn-Williams said they would take turns sleeping in each other's laps and stroking each other's hair.
The book review also alleged that a pajama-clad Sandberg was visibly upset when Wynn-Williams refused her offer to join her in "the only bed on the plane" during a flight home on a private jet.
Kaplan's conduct
Former Meta executive accused of inappropriate behavior
Wynn-Williams also accused Joel Kaplan, former Facebook Vice President and Sandberg's former Harvard boyfriend, of misconduct.
She recounted an instance when Kaplan allegedly pressed against her on a dance floor during a work event and made disturbing remarks about her husband.
Facebook's internal investigation cleared Kaplan of any wrongdoing after interviewing 17 witnesses over 42 days.
CEO's depiction
Wynn-Williams's portrayal of Zuckerberg and Sandberg
In her memoir, Wynn-Williams painted Mark Zuckerberg and Sandberg as "careless people" from "The Great Gatsby," who wreak havoc and leave others to clean up.
She further described Zuckerberg's transformation from an engineering-obsessed individual to an executive obsessed with politics and public adoration.
The book also chronicled Facebook's attempts to re-enter the Chinese market via "Aldrin" project.
Zuckerberg rejected the claim in 2018, telling Congress, "No decisions have been made around the conditions under which....service might be offered in China."
Company stance
Meta's response to Wynn-Williams's allegations
A Meta representative has dismissed the allegations as "a mix of out-of-date and previously reported claims about the company and false accusations about our executives."
The spokesperson also clarified that Wynn-Williams was fired eight years ago due to poor performance and toxic behavior.
"Since then, she has been paid by anti-Facebook activists and this is simply a continuation of that work. Whistleblower status protects communications to the government, not disgruntled activists trying to sell books," the Meta spokesperson said.