SpaceX’s Gwynne Shotwell defends Elon Musk to employees after allegations of sexual misconduct

The president of the company sent an email last week saying she doesn't believe the allegations of sexual assault against Musk are true. The email was first reported by CNBC and was reviewed by The Verge.

I believe the allegations to be false because I have worked closely with him for 20 years and have never heard anything similar, Shotwell wrote in the email.

Business Insider reported last week that Musk's company paid $250,000 to a flight attendant who accused him of exposing himself and propositioning her while giving him a massage. Musk told Insider that there is a lot more to the story and that it was a politically motivated hit piece.

If I were to engage in sexual harassment, it would be the first time in my entire career that it would come to light.

In her email, Shotwell argued that every accusation of harassment is taken very seriously, regardless of who is involved. She didn't mention the $250,000 payment.

In time for publication, the company did not respond to a request for comment.

There is a policy when it comes to employee behavior. In December, a former employee wrote an essay in Lioness that claimed she had been the target of rampant sexual harassment at the company and that HR did little to address her claims. Four more ex-employees backed up the essay and described a culture of sexual harassment that was poorly handled by HR.

Shotwell sent an email to employees about the company's zero-tolerance policy for harassment and no A-hole policy.

Shotwell wrote in an email in December that it was important to report harassment quickly and that they could fix what they didn't know.

In December, Shotwell wrote that the company could improve. An internal audit will be conducted by HR, followed by a third-party audit.