Eric Schmidt flies to Santa Barbara the same week the case against him faces a key deadline

Eric Schmidt flew his 2021 Gulfstream G650ER (N652WE) from Van Nuys to Santa Barbara on May 24, a flight of just 25 minutes that capped a long weekend of movements across the Southwest. The jet had arrived from Mesa, Arizona, earlier that day and, before that, from Appleton, Wisconsin, on May 18.

The short hop lands the same week a California court is expected to hear arguments in a lawsuit seeking to void a December 2024 settlement with Michelle Ritter, who alleges rape, assault, harassment, and surveillance by Schmidt, as covered by multiple outlets including Forbes and The New York Times. The case has been one of the most closely watched legal matters involving a major tech figure this year, and the timing of Schmidt's arrival in the coastal city — a known residence and retreat area for him — suggests the visit may be tied to preparation or appearances related to that litigation.

Schmidt, who has a net worth estimated between $26 billion and $37.8 billion, is among the most frequent private-jet users on record, topping CO₂ emission lists in 2023 and 2024. His Gulfstream, registered to a Bank of Utah trustee, has visibly logged heavy domestic and international use in recent weeks, including a trip to Atlanta and a brief stint in Arizona before tonight's landing near Santa Barbara.