NBC News reports: Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was caught cheating with a co-worker at a Coldplay concert, accused of ‘assaulting and threatening’ employees at his former company and… more
In a stunning turn of events that has left both the tech and entertainment industries reeling, Astronomer CEO Andy Byron is now at the center of a growing scandal involving allegations of workplace misconduct and a very public personal controversy. According to exclusive information obtained by NBC News, Byron was reportedly caught engaging in a romantic affair with a female co-worker during a Coldplay concert — a moment that was captured on video by multiple attendees and has since gone viral across social media platforms.
The incident has sparked outrage among employees and raised serious questions about professionalism and leadership at one of the most promising data orchestration companies in the tech sector. Several eyewitnesses described the interaction between Byron and the employee as “highly inappropriate,” noting that the pair were seen kissing and touching throughout the show, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. One onlooker, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “It wasn’t just a flirty moment. They looked like a couple who had been together for a while — and not just in a professional way.”
But the concert drama is only the beginning.
Following the public revelation of his affair, multiple former employees from Byron’s previous company have come forward with damning allegations of workplace abuse, painting a much darker portrait of the tech executive. Several individuals who worked under Byron’s leadership described him as “volatile,” “intimidating,” and “emotionally abusive.” One former team member told NBC News, “Andy would routinely raise his voice, slam doors, and threaten people’s jobs if they didn’t agree with him. It created a culture of fear. We were always walking on eggshells.”
Another ex-employee described an incident in which Byron allegedly grabbed a subordinate by the collar during a disagreement about a project timeline. The same person claims they were later threatened with legal retaliation if they ever spoke out about the event. “He said if I ever told anyone what happened, he’d ruin me professionally. That’s when I knew I had to leave,” the source recounted.
A third former colleague accused Byron of manipulating internal reviews to silence dissent and rewarding loyalty over performance. “It was a toxic cycle. If you challenged him, you were out. If you kept your head down and enabled his behavior, you’d be promoted,” the former employee said.
Astronomer Inc., which has gained traction in recent years as a leader in modern data workflow technology, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the allegations. However, insiders say the company’s board has launched an internal investigation into both the ethical concerns surrounding the affair and the more serious claims of harassment and assault.
Adding to the pressure, shareholders are reportedly growing uneasy, with some demanding Byron’s immediate resignation. “This kind of behavior is unacceptable from a leader, especially in a company that prides itself on innovation and integrity,” one major investor told reporters anonymously.
Byron himself has remained largely silent since the allegations surfaced, aside from a brief and somewhat vague post on LinkedIn in which he claimed to be “taking time to reflect” and “working on personal growth.” The post was met with swift backlash, with many accusing him of minimizing the seriousness of the accusations.
Public sentiment appears to be turning sharply against the CEO. Online forums, including Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), have exploded with criticism, with hashtags like #FireByron and #TechAccountability gaining traction by the hour. Some Coldplay fans have even started petitions asking the band to denounce the incident, arguing that their concert should not have been the backdrop for such a scandal.
As the situation unfolds, questions linger about whether Astronomer can maintain its reputation and momentum amid such explosive claims. More importantly, employees — past and present — are calling for accountability, transparency, and a workplace culture that values respect over fear.
This developing story continues to evolve.
