Bombshell twist in split between Australia's richest couple
Just days after announcing their separation, there has been a bombshell twist in the split between Australia's richest couple Andrew and Nicola Forrest.
The couple, who were married for 31 years and have a shared fortune of $32 billion, confirmed their separation in a joint statement on Wednesday after living apart for months.
During those months apart, it has been revealed that Andrew's own mining company investigated allegations he had a secret relationship with an employee.
The board of Mr Forrest's company Fortescue Metals Group became aware of an anonymous letter that made allegations against the mining billionaire while the Forrests were figuring out their separation.
The board contacted an outside law firm to investigate claims made in the letter about the behaviour of the executive chairman towards a lower level employee.
The Australian Financial Review reported the investigation included a review of whether he had a relationship with an employee at the mining company, with the investigation concluding that the allegations were unsubstantiated.
"The directors of Fortescue became aware of an anonymous letter concerning the behaviour of the executive chairman," Fortescue Metals said in a statement.
"The board immediately met and engaged Seyfarth Shaw LLP, to independently investigate the letter and provide a report. Seyfarth Shaw LLP provided a full report to the board."
"The investigation concluded that none of the matters in the letter were substantiated. There were no adverse findings."
It added that Mr Forrest was excluded from the investigation as "it related to him".
Fortescue went on to say that the report in full would not be released to shareholders or to the public.
The revelations the investigation emerged just days after Andrew and Nicola announced their separation.
"After 31 years of marriage, we have made the decision to live apart," the couple said in a joint statement.
"Our friendship and commitment to our family remains strong."
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