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Activision Blizzard is under investigation by federal regulators for the company’s handling of allegations of sexual misconduct and employment discrimination by employees. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has subpoenaed Activision Blizzard and several top executives, including CEO Bobby Kotick.
The SEC has requested a wide range of documents from Activision Blizzard, including the minutes of board meetings since 2019, the personnel files of six former employees, and the severance agreements the company had reached with staff in 2021, according to the records obtained by WSJ. He also requested Kotick’s communications with other senior executives regarding complaints about sexual harassment or discrimination by Activision Blizzard employees and contractors.
An Activision Blizzard spokesperson confirmed to _ that the SEC is investigating the company.
“The US Securities and Exchange Commission is conducting an investigation into the Company’s disclosures regarding employment and related matters, and has issued subpoenas to the Company and various current and former employees seeking related information. with this. The Company is cooperating with the SEC, ”an Activision Blizzard spokesperson told _.
The SEC is trying to discern whether Activision Blizzard properly disclosed allegations of workplace harassment and gender pay issues, and whether that information should have been shared with investors and other parties earlier.
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An investigation by a federal agency like the SEC intensifies the ongoing legal problems Activision Blizzard has been grappling with since the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued the company over alleged sexual harassment and discrimination issues in July. California updated its lawsuit in late August, accusing Activision Blizzard of destroying evidence related to the investigation.
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