According to an agreement filed in Santa Clara Superior Court on Tuesday, a woman accused of stalking Tim Cook has agreed to keep away from the Apple CEO for the next three years.
Julie Lee Choi, 45, is not permissible to approach within 200 yards of Cook, his business, vehicle, or any of his close family members until 2025, according to the agreement. Choi is also prohibited from communicating with the Apple CEO via electronic messages, including email and social media.
Choi is also prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms for the next three years, according to the agreement. Apple claimed that the lady “may be armed”. She sent Cook photographs of ammo and a loaded pistol. According to the court filing, if Choi breaks the agreement, she could face criminal penalties.
The Associated Press reported the agreement first. According to the publication, Cook was not present at the court in California on Tuesday, and Choi refused to respond, waving reporters away.
Apple had previously gained a temporary restraining order against Choi. It was going to expire on Tuesday. The company claimed the lady fraudulently claimed to be Cook’s wife and mother of two children with the CEO. She sought to set up several businesses using Cook’s name and Apple’s headquarters address.
Harassment
Choi’s harassment began in 2020, according to the restraining order filing. She wrote around 200 emails to Cook in two months. According to Apple’s complaint, the texts included requests for sex and other obscene remarks. The emails were “threatening and highly disturbing,” according to the tech firm. It also cited photographs of a loaded gun in several of the messages.
In 2014, Cook came out as gay. As per Apple court filing, Choi appears to accept his sexuality in her emails. But she continues to send him sexual signals.
Choi also showed up at Cook’s residence twice in October. Thereby, warning the Palo Alto Police Department that she “could get aggressive” and wanted to stay in town.
Choi isn’t the only individual against whom Apple has sought a restraining order. Apple received a temporary restraining order against a guy who Apple said was harassing Tim Cook two years ago. According to court filings, Rakesh Sharma likewise visited Cook’s home twice and “threatened” him.
According to The Associated Press, Apple also paid over $630,000 for Cook’s security in 2021.