Just as Uber Technologies Inc. had managed to get back on track ahead of its initial public offering next year, the company has been struck by another sexual misconduct scandal.

Cameron Poetzscher (pictured), Uber’s head of corporate development, has resigned following the publication today by The Wall Street Journal of details about a 2017 investigation into sexual misconduct.

The investigation, led by an outside firm brought into Uber for the purpose, found that Poetzscher had made “sexually suggestive comments” about his coworkers and that he had a consensual affair with a colleague at Uber, the latter a breach of company policy.

Poetzscher is said to have been formally disciplined last November and was forced to attend sensitivity coaching. Other than the possible embarrassment of the Journal report, it’s not entirely clear why Poetzscher chose to resign now given the allegations had seemingly been dealt with internally.

The alleged misconduct is said to have occurred before current Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi joined Uber, during a period where Uber scandals were frequent, including the firing of 20 staff for sexual harassment in June 2017. Although the news isn’t indicative of Uber under Khosrowshahi’s leadership, it is nonetheless damaging for Uber given that Poetzscher reported directly to Khosrowshahi and was perceived to be close to him.

Poetzscher, as head of corporate development, was said to be instrumental in some of Uber’s largest deals, including the sale of its Southeast Asian business to Grab Taxi Holding Pte. Lte. in March and SoftBank Group Corp.’s acquisition of 15 percent of the company in December.

“We thank Cam for his four and half years of service to Uber,” an Uber spokesperson said in a statement to media. Uber Chief Financial Officer Nelson Chai is taking over Poetzscher’s duties temporarily while the company searches for a new head of corporate development.

Photo: Cameron Poetzscher