Activision Blizzard is coping with notably severe fallout from the sexual misconduct allegations surrounding the corporate. The Washington Post has learned Activision Blizzard is dealing with a wrongful demise lawsuit from the household of Kerri Moynihan, a girl who died by suicide in April 2017 throughout an organization retreat. The household alleges sexual harassment on the sport developer performed a “significant factor” in her demise.
Moynihan’s demise was referenced in a California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) lawsuit over Activision Blizzard’s reported “frat boy” tradition, albeit with out mentioning her title. Male colleagues reportedly shared an specific picture of Moynihan on the vacation social gathering previous her demise, in line with that lawsuit, and referred to a male supervisor who supposedly introduced intercourse toys to the retreat.
The household lawsuit alleges Moynihan’s boss, Greg Restituito, lied to Anaheim police and in any other case tried to cover proof of a sexual relationship with the sufferer. He made “unusual inquiries” with workers current with Moynihan the evening earlier than her demise, in line with a police report cited within the go well with. Restituito left Activision Blizzard in May 2017, the month after Moynihan’s demise.
Activision Blizzard was reportedly uncooperative with police on the time. It refused at hand over the corporate laptops of both Moynihan or Restituito, and in addition declined entry to Restituito’s telephone.
The household’s attorneys shared a replica of the lawsuit with The Post, however in any other case have not commented on the lawsuit. Anaheim police and Restituito have to this point been silent. An Activision Blizzard spokesperson stated the corporate was “deeply saddened” by Moynihan’s demise and would reply to the grievance by way of authorized channels, however stated it had “no further comment” out of respect.
Activision Blizzard has taken quite a few actions in response to the misconduct scandal. It eliminated 37 workers between July 2021 and January 2022, and disciplined one other 44. Blizzard chief Mike Ybarra has additionally vowed to revive belief by reforming firm tradition. The Moynihan lawsuit underscores the obvious toxicity at Activision Blizzard in earlier years, nonetheless, and provides to the pressures on the corporate (and its purchaser Microsoft) from the SEC and others to repair its office practices.
In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Crisis Text Line could be reached by texting HOME to 741741 (US), 686868 (Canada), or 85258 (UK). Wikipedia maintains a list of crisis lines for folks outdoors of these international locations.
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