Noel Biderman, the CEO and founder of adultery website Ashley Madison, is stepping down from his post in the wake of the recent hacking that leaked the identities of millions of its users, Avid Life Media announced on Friday, Aug. 28.
"This change is in the best interest of the company and allows us to continue to provide support to our members and dedicated employees," Ashley Madison's parent company said in a statement. "We are steadfast in our commitment to our customer base."
The website will be guided by its "existing senior management team" until a new CEO is selected. Last week, a group of hackers known as the Impact Team followed through on its promise to leak the information of millions of Ashley Madison users.
Some of those exposed in the wake of the security breach included celebrities like Josh Duggar and Real Housewives of New York City husband Josh Taekman, both of whom have since apologized to their wives and the public.
It was also reported that Biderman had multiple affairs himself. The married dad of two told the New York Daily News last year that he had never cheated on his wife. “If I wanted to have an affair, I would have one,” he famously said at the time.
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A detailed investigation from BuzzFeed News this week alleged that Biderman had lied. The site reported that close to 300 emails, dated between July 2012 and May 2015, were exchanged between the company's founder and a Toronto woman, who called herself "Melisa from the spa."
In the fallout from the hacking, Ashley Madison's parent company is already facing at least five lawsuits that could potentially cost the company more than a half-billion dollars. "We are actively adjusting to the attack on our business and members' privacy by criminals," the company said in its statement. "We will continue to provide access to our unique platforms for our worldwide members."
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