The publisher has an American federal crossfire on it, given how many agencies are at the heels of Activision Blizzard…

Suppose you think the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC onwards) wasn’t enough? In that case, the Wall Street Journal reports that even the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC onwards) is allegedly looking into an investigation about the Bobby Kotick-led company. The SEC opened its case due to Activision Blizzard’s response to sexual misconduct and workplace harassment allegations.

The SEC requested several documents from the publisher, including Kotick’s communications with other high-level executives about the allegations; separation agreements with employees who left this year; personnel files for six former employees; and board meeting minutes going back two years. That’s a deep probe. An Activision Blizzard representative said they are cooperating with the SEC investigation: “We have made and are making several important changes to improve our policies and procedures to ensure that there is no place anywhere in our company for discrimination, harassment or unequal treatment of any kind.”

One of the SEC’s issues is whether Activision Blizzard (ActiBlizz) had an obligation to inform investors about the investigation into workplace and gender pay gap allegations before it was made public by a California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) lawsuit filed in July. Since then, the DFEH expanded the case, accusing ActiBlizz of shredding documents. (Are they trying to eliminate evidence…?)

The Wall Street Journal also reports that the EEOC has been conducting a separate examination. It reportedly had been looking into allegations of gender-based harassment at the publisher since at least May 2020. However, this agency could be in settlement talks with the publisher, which might pay millions of dollars. They declined to comment, and it’s unclear if they will publish their findings or not.

Meanwhile, Claire Hart, Blizzard’s chief legal officer, announced her departure from the company on LinkedIn: “After more than three years at Blizzard Entertainment, I have decided to move on to my next adventure. Friday was my last day. The past three years have been full of unexpected twists and turns, but I feel honoured to have worked with and met so many great people at Blizzard and across the Activision Blizzard businesses. I’ll be taking a short break before making my next move. Stay tuned!”

Is she a victim of the SEC investigation…?

Source: Gamesindustry, PCGamer