Activision Blizzard sexual harassment and discrimination investigation takes a new turn as company CEO Bobby Kotick and multiple senior executives are subpoenaed by federal authorities Americans.
A summons coming more specifically from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an American federal regulatory agency. She also asked the American giant to send her numerous documents for the proper conduct of her investigation.
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Activision Blizzard CEO and other decision-makers in the sights of federal authorities
Among the documents requested by the SEC are said to include notes from meetings since 2019, the personal files of six former employees and the separation agreements between the company and employees in 2021. Also requested were Bobby Kotick's communications with d other senior executives regarding complaints of sexual harassment or discrimination by Company employees or contractors.
A representative for Activision Blizzard said following the Wall Street Journal article, “The SEC is investigating the company's disclosures regarding employment matters. She therefore sent subpoenas to the company and to numerous former and current employees seeking information on these matters. The company is ready to cooperate with the federal agency”.
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Federal authorities take over the case
California justice had already accused Activision Blizzard last August of concealing information that could help the proper conduct of its investigation launched in June. This time, it is a federal institution that takes over.
The SEC is thus seeking to determine whether the company has done what it has been asked to do, namely to bring to justice all allegations of harassment in the workplace or pay discrimination based on gender. It also seeks to determine whether such information should have been shared with investors and other interested parties.
Such interest from the US federal authorities inevitably raises the stakes and the pressure on the people at the head of Activision Blizzard. It remains to be seen whether the company will be more cooperative and what the SEC will learn from this investigation and these subpoenas.
