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Fortescue Metals engaged a law firm to investigate the behaviour of executive chairman Andrew Forrest after receiving an anonymous letter, but cleared him of any wrongdoing.
- No adverse findings were made against Andrew Forrest after Fortescue Metals hired a law firm to investigate claims of inappropriate behaviour
- The Australian Financial Review reported the investigation stemmed from allegations Mr Forrest had been in a relationship with a Fortescue employee
- Fortescue has not disclosed when the investigation took place
Seyfarth Shaw LLP concluded that none of the matters in the letter were substantiated and there were no adverse findings, a Fortescue Metals spokesman said in a statement.
The statement did not disclose the nature of the allegations and did not say when the internal probe took place.
The Australian Financial Review reported on Sunday the investigation involved whether Mr Forrest had been in a relationship with a Fortescue employee.
Fortescue said it selected Seyfarth Shaw to investigate because the law firm had demonstrated expertise in investigations of this nature and was independent, having never previously represented Fortescue or Mr Forrest.
The law firm's legal fees were not contingent on any particular finding or outcome, and Seyfarth Shaw was provided with full access to electronic records, documents, employees and information to conduct a forensic review, Fortescue said.
Seyfarth Shaw Australian managing partner Darren Perry led the probe.
Fortescue said it provided a number of channels for team members to report complaints either anonymously or in person, in keeping with accepted whistleblower protocols, and remained committed to doing so.
Mr Forrest, 61, and his wife Nicola Forrest announced on Thursday they had decided to separate after 31 years of marriage.
Together, the billionaire philanthropists control 37 per cent of Fortescue Metals Group, which reported a $US6.2 billion ($9.2 billion) net profit after tax last year.
Before they separated, the Australian Financial Review estimated Mr Forrest had a fortune of about $33.2 billion, making him the second-wealthiest person in Australia behind fellow WA mining magnate Gina Rinehart.
In a statement last week, Mr Forrest and Ms Forrest said their separation would have "no impact" on their ventures, including Fortescue, the philanthropic Minderoo Foundation or investment group Tattarang.
AAP/ABC