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Automattic's board voted to force WordPress.com owner and CEO Matt Mullenweg into a paid leave of absence, a move he says was against his will. In an internal Slack message reported by 404 Media, Mullenweg said he voted against the decision and accused CFO Mark Davies of conspiring with board members Ann Dunwoody, Toni Schneider, and Sue Decker to sideline him. The dispute exposes a rift at the top of the influential web-publishing company at a time when Automattic has faced other governance and business tensions. It remains unclear who will lead the company during Mullenweg's leave or how long the arrangement will last.