According to reporting in Bloomberg, the case surrounding Activision Blizzard’s alleged workplace issues has taken another turn today, with a top lawyer for the state of California resigning in protest of what they claim is government interference in the ongoing lawsuit. Assistant Chief Counsel Melanie Proctor left her post Tuesday night, telling staff she was doing so due to her boss at the agency, Chief Counsel Janette Wipper, being abruptly fired by Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.

The move follows both lawyers stepping down from the case earlier this month, with confirmation that Wipper had been fired while Proctor resigned provided by representatives for the pair. The case, which is due to be heard in the Los Angeles Supreme Court, could lead to further issues for the state, with Wipper “evaluating all avenues of legal recourse including a claim under the California Whistleblower Protection Act,” according to her spokesperson.

The allegations state that Governor Newsom’s office had become increasingly interested in the actions of the prosecutors, stating that Newsom and his office “began to interfere” with the Activision suit. “The Office of the Governor repeatedly demanded advance notice of litigation strategy and of next steps in the litigation,” Proctor wrote in the email quoted by Bloomberg. “As we continued to win in state court, this interference increased, mimicking the interests of Activision’s counsel.”

Political Influence

These allegations, if true, would demonstrate the immense power Activision Blizzard are still able to exert despite the huge amount of dirt already uncovered on the gaming giant. Newsom’s communications director Erin Mellon denied the allegations, saying “claims of interference by our office are categorically false” and vowing Newsom’s office “will continue to support DFEH in their efforts to fight all forms of discrimination and protect Californians.”

The lawyers for California have already faced significant adversity with this case, and the approval of an $18m settlement described by many as desultory followed months of attempts to block the deal that were eventually rejected by the Federal Judge. In a damning final word aimed at those she sees as obstructing justice for victims of Activision Blizzard, Proctor apparently wrote in her resignation email that “justice should be administered equally, not favoring those with political influence.” 

Image credit: Gage Skidmore