Whether you trust Eric or not has zero to do with if you trust CNet's claim that "The National Security Agency has not obtained direct access to the systems of Apple, Google, Facebook, and other major Internet companies, CNET has learned."

Inferring he is no longer CEO and might not know about these matters is just an informal fallacy and has zero to do with whether or not Google, Facebook, etc. is telling the truth on the matter. FWIW, I believe them when they say they aren't giving direct access to their servers to the government. That doesn't mean they aren't, and I'm willing to listen to any substantial claims that they are.

I don't trust the government to always do the right thing when poking around in our business, but I'm also not going to run around like a chicken with my head cut off when everyone gets their underwear in a knot over leaks like these.