Activision Blizzard, a video game publisher, was sued numerous times last summer for sexual harassment against female workers. One employee’s family is now suing the corporation, saying that sexual harassment played a role in her death by suicide.
Kerri Moynihan, an Activision Blizzard finance manager, was discovered dead at a business retreat in 2017. According to a Washington Post article published Friday, her parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Activision Blizzard this week.
When confronted by detectives from the Anaheim Police Department, Moynihan’s boss at the time denied having a connection with her, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. According to the lawsuit, Activision Blizzard declined to give authorities access to Moynihan’s company-issued laptop and smartphone, claiming the devices had been “wiped.”
“We at Activision Blizzard were, and continue to be, extremely grieved by the unfortunate death of Ms. Moynihan, who was a valued member of the business,” an Activision Blizzard spokeswoman said in an emailed statement Friday, adding that the firm will address the complaint submitted.
Activision Blizzard’s legal woes began in July when the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued the corporation, accusing it of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and cultivating a “frat boy” culture. The lawsuit mentioned Moynihan’s alleged harassment but did not name her. The corporation was examined by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for discriminating practices. Activision Blizzard has paid $18 million in fines and laid off more than 20 employees since then.
In November, CEO Bobby Kotick came under pressure when The Wall Street Journal revealed that he had been aware of workplace harassment for years. The assertion was “inaccurate and deceptive,” according to Kotick and the firm at the time.
Microsoft announced in January that it will buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. Following the purchase, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer pledged a culture shift at the firm.