Federal judge to OK consent decree in Activision case

A federal judge said Tuesday she is prepared to approve a consent decree between Activision Blizzard and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that will require the gaming company to pay $18 million to settle allegations of bias and harassment in the workplace.

"The court is generally satisfied that both the monetary relief and the non monetary provisions are fair, reasonable, and adequate," U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer wrote in an order. She set a March 29 hearing to hear final arguments in the case. EEOC v. Activision Blizzard, 21-CV-7682 (C.D. Cal., filed Sept. 27, 2021).

In December, Fisher rejected a request by the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing to intervene in the case. DFEH said the U.S. EEOC deal with Activision didn't protect the interests of the state, which is also investigating the gaming company. Fisher called the fight between the federal and state agencies "unseemly," but said she might have her own concerns with the consent decree. She also allowed DFEH to file an amicus brief in the EEOC case.

Tuesday's ruling appears to put to rest concerns the judge had with the consent decree.

"Though the court may permit limited argument on other issues, many of the matters raised by the proposed intervenors, including DFEH, are issues as to which the court should -- and will -- defer to the EEOC," she wrote.

EEOC Director of Communications Victor Chen declined to comment on the ruling.

"The judge's opinion on this matter is the news," he said.

Jahan Crawford Reza Sagafi of Outten & Golden LLP was hired to represent DFEH in the case. He said "no comment," when asked to respond to Fisher's ruling.

Elena R. Baca of Paul Hastings LLP represents Activision Blizzard. She could not be reached for comment.

The Santa Monica-based company has been rocked by allegations of harassment and bias in the workplace. Earlier this month, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said it would take a look at a proposed $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision by Microsoft Corp.