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.”
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