Former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is at the centre of controversy after a new memoir revealed details of an alleged lavish lingerie shopping spree and an unusual dynamic with her young female assistant during a trip to Europe. According to the New York Post, Sandberg spent nearly $13,000 on lingerie for herself and her assistant and even suggested that her aide “come to bed” while aboard a private jet.

These claims appear in Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, a book by former Facebook employee Sarah Wynn-Williams. She further alleges that Sandberg and her 26-year-old assistant took turns sleeping on each other’s laps during a long drive through Europe.

Sandberg asked Williams to buy lingerie for both without considering the cost. The final bill was $13,000, according to a book review published by the New York Times. Williams also claimed that Sandberg asked her to join in “the only bed on the plane” on a private jet.

“This is a mix of out-of-date and previously reported claims about the company and false accusations about our executives,” a Meta spokesperson told The Post.

“Eight years ago, Sarah Wynn-Williams was fired for poor performance and toxic behaviour, and an investigation at the time determined she made misleading and unfounded allegations of harassment….since then, she has been paid by anti-Facebook activists, and this is simply a continuation of that work,” the spokesperson added.

“Whistleblower status protects communications to the government, not disgruntled activists trying to sell books,” the Meta spokesperson said.

Williams accused top Meta executive Joel Kaplan of making her feel “deeply uncomfortable.”

Kaplan, the ex-boyfriend of Sandberg from Harvard, served as Facebook’s vice president of US policy before becoming vice president of global policy — Williams’ boss. He has strong ties with the Republican Party.

Kaplan allegedly leaned against her on the dance floor at a work event, called her “sultry”, and made objectionable comments about her husband, the report said.

While giving birth to her child, Williams nearly died from an amniotic fluid embolism. However, Kaplan continued to email her during this critical period as well.