Content Warning: The following article contains references to suicide and sexual harassment.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741-741
Editor’s Note: A lawsuit has been filed against Activision Blizzard by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which alleges the company has engaged in abuse, discrimination, and retaliation against its female employees. Activision Blizzard has denied the allegations. The full details of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit (content warning: rape, suicide, abuse, harassment) are being updated as new information becomes available.
The family of a deceased employees of Activision Blizzard remained united, with over 1,000 of them g an open letter in of the lawsuit.
In January, Microsoft announced that it was buying Activision Blizzard for almost $70 billion. The largest acquisition in video game history had some players hoping for a replacement of leadership; however, Microsoft still hasn’t removed Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, from his position despite being “disturbed and deeply troubled” by the state of and allegations against the company. Activision Blizzard is hiding behind the buyout to thwart further criticisms, like not following California’s 2019 requirement to add another woman to its board of directors.
The Washington Post reported that gaming giant Action Blizzard is being sued for wrongful death by the family of an employee who took her own life. The suit was filed on Thursday by the parents of Kerri Moynihan, a finance manager at Activision Blizzard who was found dead at a 2017 company retreat. Moynihan’s family claims that a “significant factor” that led to Moynihan’s death was sexual harassment. The July 2021 DFEH lawsuit mentioned that a nude picture of Moynihan was shown off by male co-workers at a holiday party before her death.
Paul and Janet Moynihan’s wrongful death suit accuses Greg Restituito, Kerri Moynihan’s former boss, of lying to the Anaheim Police Department’s investigators and concealing that he had a sexual relationship with Moynihan. According to the suit, Restituito tried to hide evidence of his relationship with Moynihan after her death. A reference to an alleged police report said that Restitutio made “seemingly unusual inquiries with other employees who were present with [Kerri] the night preceding her death.” Restituito’s LinkedIn profile shows that he left Activision Blizzard the month after Moynihan’s death. The Washington Post reached out to Restiuito for comment, but he did not respond.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that Activision Blizzard will be held able for the death of Kerri Moynihan, even if her parents win the case. Bobby Kotick is still at the head of the company, even after more disturbing updates unfold, like his efforts to buy up media outlets to get positive coverage. The Microsoft buyout is almost a done deal, and, if or when Kotick is removed, he will probably exit with a large payout. of the gaming community have been using their platforms to keep Activision Blizzard in the minds of gamers, however, which includes popular streamers like Pokimane refusing to stream Activision Blizzard games and the company and Kotick getting called out at video game award events.
If you or a loved one have been struggling with suicide, please one of the resources at the beginning of this story.
Source: The Washington Post
