US regulators have expanded their investigation into video game developer Activision Blizzard, according to The Wall Street Journal. Recall that in September, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asked Activision Blizzard, its CEO Bobby Kotick and other executives for information related to allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination by company employees. In July, following media reports of complaints from Activision Blizzard employees about a harmful corporate culture, the state of California filed a lawsuit against the company accusing it of violating equal pay and opportunities for men and women.
Now, the California Jobs and Housing Authority has sent subpoenas to members of Activision Blizzard’s board of directors, demanding from them information about how the company treated employees. The agency also asked the Los Angeles and Suburban Police Departments for any records or statements regarding Mr. Kotick and 18 former and current employees of the company. In addition, the SEC sent new requests for information to Activision Blizzard, which includes correspondence from a number of former and current top managers of the company. According to media reports, there were about 700 complaints from employees about the internal corporate culture and possible discrimination in the company.