The California Department of Fair Employment’s ongoing harassment and discrimination lawsuit against Activision Blizzard – which accused the publisher of fostering a “frat boy culture” in which sexual harassment, assault, and inappropriate behaviour were able to thrive – has taken another dramatic turn. A state of California lawyer involved in the lawsuit has resigned, accusing the state’s governor of interfering in the case in support of Activision Blizzard.
As reported by Bloomberg, the assistant chief counsel for California’s Department of Fair Employment, Melanie Proctor, has quit her role in protest after California Governor Gavin Newsom “abruptly fired” the agency’s boss, Chief Counsel Janette Wipper. A representative for the two attorneys has since confirmed the firing and resignation to Bloomberg.
In an email to staff seen by the publication, Proctor claimed Governor Gavin Newsom and his office had begun to “interfere” with the Activision lawsuit in recent weeks. “The Office of the Governor repeatedly demanded advance notice of litigation strategy and of next steps in the litigation,” Proctor wrote. “As we continued to win in state court, this interference increased, mimicking the interests of Activision’s counsel.”
“Justice should be administered equally,” Proctor added in her message, “not favoring those with political influence.”
According to Proctor, the governor and his office “abruptly terminated” Wipper after she “attempted to protect” the agency’s independence following the alleged interference. A spokesperson for Wipper said she is now “evaluating all avenues of legal recourse including a claim under the California Whistleblower Protection Act”.
In response to Bloomberg’s queries, the Department of Fair Employment would only say it will “continue to vigorously enforce California’s civil rights and fair housing laws”.
News of the state of California’s lawsuit against Activision Blizzard – which called the publisher a “breeding ground for harassment and discrimination against women” – first broke last July and the fallout was immediate and significant. It resulted in employee walkouts, the departure of Blizzard president J. Allen Brack and other high-profile staff, a separate investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission followed, and further legal action, including a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.