Activision Blizzard just tried (and failed) to hold California regulators in contempt
Activision Blizzard's attempt to hold the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) in contempt for allegedly interfering with its $18 million harassment settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has been quashed.
As spotted by Axios' reporter Stephen Totilo, U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer denied a motion filed by Activision Blizzard that would've allowed it to hold the CRD–formerly known as the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)–in contempt for approaching those who've settled as part of its case with the EEOC.
The CRD had previously failed to block the EEOC settlement over fears it would release Activision Blizzard from "state claims" relating to its own lawsuit against the company. The EEOC settlement was ultimately approved, and included a consent decree preventing Activision Blizzard workers from participating in the CRD's lawsuit in relation to three specific issues: sexual harassment, pay or promotion disparity, and discrimination against pregnant staff.
As noted by Fischer, however, the consent decree was an "agreement between the EEOC and defendants," meaning the CRD is not a party and therefore not bound by the decree. In short, that means the CRD can still talk to defendants involved in the EEOC lawsuit.
"Defendant's (Activision Blizzard's) position is essentially that CRD is saying things about the consent decree that Defendants do not like and do not agree with," said Fischer. "CRD thinks that the release of the right by Defendants' employees to participate in a recovery in CRD's case–as contemplated in the consent decree process–is invalid under state law.
"In accordance with this, CRD is allegedly still seeking recovery on behalf of employees who
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